Splintered Dreams Chapter 4
By: Sweeneytodgirl58
Thanks so much for the reviews! Here's another chapter. Forgive me if I took a while. (I do not own anything. Wish I did though.)
Mrs. Lovett opened her eyes, and found two onyx ones staring right back at her. Mr. Todd. She quickly glanced away and settled her gaze at the young child that was right beside her. His eyes were filled with unshed tears. Eleanor smiled at her Toby. Her caring, affectionate son. She could see he was in some sort of shock. Shock? Why was he shocked? Mrs. Lovett suddenly felt a huge pressure on her person. She bit back a quail as she felt her boy wrap his arms around her. "O' mum! Thank the lord that yer awake! I was worried to death over ya'!", he exclaimed as he continued to embrace her. She could feel his wet tears on her chest. Mrs. Lovett tried to recall what had happened. It was a difficult task, for her head felt like it had been trampled over by a one-thousand pound horse. Her mind was blurry and Eleanor Lovett felt as if a cloud of heavy, white fog had settled into her brain. The more she tried to remember, the harder her head trobbed. After a few moments, Toby lowered his arms and let go of her. At that precise moment, Mrs. Lovett gazed at her son with a confused look on her face.
"Mind tellin' me wot 'appened, dear?", Mrs. Lovett asked as she tried her best to ignore her terribly parched throat. Toby glanced up at her with a surprised look in his angelic face.
"Ya don't remember, mum?", he said sounding stunned. Mrs. Lovett shook her head, not wanting to speak in her dehydrated state. "
You tripped while making your way down the stairs, Mrs. Lovett.", answered Sweeney instead, in an expressionless tone of voice. Mrs. Lovett turned her direction at the man.
She had completely forgotten that Mr. Todd was in the room. Just as he said those words, Mrs. Lovett's memory flooded back into her mind. She had argued with Mr. Todd, and he had hurt her with his cold words. She had been blinded by tears, and had not extracted that the stairs were still drenched. The last thing she could conjure, was a hardblow to the head. She narrowed her eyes at the brief memory, and refused to continue to stare at the man before her. She decided the edge of her bed deserved her glare more than he did. "How do you feel?", he requisitioned, not noticing her glower. Mrs. Lovett remained silent. Both because she did not want to answer him, and because it pained her to speak. Mr. Todd sighed. He knew she remembered now. He briefly wondered if it was the correct thing to remind her. He quickly dissmissed the idea, knowing full well that even if he hadn't of told her, her brat would have.
"Toby. Will you please allow Mrs. Lovett and I, some private time to speak?", Mr. Todd said. The young boy eyed him suspiciously. He didn't want to leave his mum, not after she had bearly woken up. Toby looked up at Eleanor, worry clearly written on his face. Eleanor simply smiled gently and nodded. Toby reluctantly got up and made his way toward the wooden door. Sweeney, not noticing the silent trade, opened the door for Toby and watched him as he exited the room. Once he had left, Mr. Todd gently closed the door, and turned to look at Eleanor. She still wasn't looking at him. Her gaze was fixed on the floor; her lips formed into a thin line.
"I suppose I deserve that", Sweeney said as he sat at the end of her bed. Mrs. Lovett said nothing. Mr. Todd ran a hand over his black locks, trying hard to not scream at the lady that was laying on the bed near him. He did not take being ignored to kindly. After he took a deep breath, Sweeney looked up at Eleanor, though she did not return the favor.
"Mrs. Lovett, I would like to apologize for my behavior this morning. It was not fair of me to treat you like that, when you clearly did not mean any harm.", Sweeney declared sternly. Despite her very dry throat, Mrs. Lovett managed a snort.
"And wot' are ya' sorry about, Mr. T? The fact that ya took out yer anger at me, or that you used me like a tool. A scrubby' ol' tool to 'elp ya' carry yer revenge?", she said, wishing all the more she could have a nice drink of cool water. Why the bloody hell was she so thirsty? Mr. Todd clenched his hand into a tight fist. His knuckles turning ghostly pale. Did she not know how much it took him to admit his wrong doing?
"Like I said before, Mrs. Lovett, it was not my intention to cause you any harm.", he replied, trying to keep calm. "Ya could've fooled me", Eleanor answered, sending daggers at his direction. Did he actually expect her to forgive him just like that? Did he not know what he had done to her when he had whispered those heart wrenching words into her ear? Before, she could atleast dream that they could both live together, happy and without a care in the world. Yes, indeed it was a foolish fantasy, but she still had held a little hope inside her hope was what kept her sanity intact, after she had brutally mauled the bodies of the innocent. Gutting them inhumanely; all for him. After those words had left his mouth, she knew it would never happen, and that he would never appreciate, nor love her. He had killed her dream permanently, but what did he care? She was just a pawn in his game after all.
He glared at her. "What would you like me to say then, Eleanor? What could I possibly say to make you content again?", he spit out with rage. "Ya' want to know wot' would make me very 'appy, Mr. Todd?", Mrs. Lovett managed to say in a dry voice. As soon as she said that, she got up from the matress. Her rage making her forget the pain she felt on her ethical leg. She was going to yell in his face that his relinquishment would cause her eternal happiness. Unfortunetely, she did not get the pleasure on doing so, for standing up was a behemothic mistake. The second she stood up, her head felt like it was revolving in different directions. Her right leg jerked in a disturbing way, and she felt herself collapse. The strange thing was, Eleanor did not feel the impact of floor beneath her. Instead, she felt strong hands gripping her waist tightly. It took her a minute to register what had occured. Mr. Todd had caught her just in time
"What in God's name is wrong with you, woman!? Can you not see you are in no condition to stand?", Sweeney said angrily, but managed to keep his volume down this time. He gently laid Mrs. Lovett on the bed, and arranged some of the cushions to make her comfortable. Eleanors eyes were wide with surprise. Since when did he care for her well being? Eleanor lifted her hand, and massaged the nape of her neck, as he did that. She felt as if someone was pouring lava down her esophagus. Mr. Todd saw her action and abruptly left the room, only to come back with a glass of water. He held it out to her, his face sympathetic. She took it gratefully, and swallowed it all in a second. When she was done, she lowered the glass from her face and set it in her lap. Enjoying how her larynx felt.
"Thank ya', love", she said after a minute of nothing but silence. He nodded and sat back down at the edge of her bed. Staring at the wooden floor. Mrs. Lovett followed his gaze, and sighed.
"I accept yer' apology, Mr. Todd.", she mentioned in a quiet voice. She would probably regret it later, but she could not stay mad at the man that she loved so dearly Sweeney looked up at Eleanor in surprise. Once again his landlady had taken him by surprise. He quickly masked his astoundment, but continued to gaze at her. Mrs. Lovett finally looked up and made eye contact with him. She gave him a faint smile. Clearly still hurt by the things he had said to her.
Mr. Todd slowly returned his gaze to the floor and said, "I didn't think of you as just a tool, Mrs. Lovett. On the contrary, your the only person I can accede as a friend. You gave me a place to stay, and you are always worried about my well-being. I do appreciate you". Eleanor felt her stomach flutter. He was grateful for her. She bit her lip, trying not to tear up. There were no words to describe her joy. Mr. Todd turmed to her direction, and glanced down at her leg. "How does it feel?", he asked quietly. Mrs. Lovett blinked away her tears and also looked down at her leg. Now that he had mentioned it, the pain started to make its prescence known. "Well, it 'urts now that ya reminded me", she said wincing. Sweeney frowned. "I am sorry."
Eleanor waved her hand. "Oh don't worry bout' it, dear. I'll live. It just 'urts a little". Mr. Todd's brow furrowed. "How about your head", he said, hoping he didn't remind her of that pain either. Eleanor placed her pale hand on her head, feeling the cloth beneath her fingers. "Jus' a headache, dove." Suddenly the bedroom door opened and Toby stepped in. "Can I come in now?", he asked impatiently. Eleanor chuckled. "Yes, son. Ya can come in." Toby quickly dashed to his mum, and sat next to her in a nearby chair. "Ow' ya feelin' mum?", he asked concerned. Mrs. Lovett glanced at Mr. Todd and smiled gently. "I'm feelin' better already", she said.
The next day, Mrs. Lovett stayed in bed all day. Both shops were closed and Toby nor Mr. Todd allowed her to get up. They brought her breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed. She stayed on the matress so long, that it had started to feel painful. Eleanor chucked the novel that she had been re-read for the fifth time on to the other side of the room. Bored was certainly not the proper word to describe her. Mrs. Lovett sighed and turned to stare outside her window. She had asked Toby to open the blinds, so she could entertain herself by glancing at the people outside. Unfortunetely, that did not cure all her fatigue. Eleanor was in the middle of counting the stars that illuminated the pitch black sky of London, when her door opened. Sweeney entered, holding a cup of tea. He made his way to her and handed her the cup. Eleanor eyed it curiously.
"The doctor said it would help with your headaches.", he said, answering her silent question; in his usual toneless voice. Mrs. Lovett made a face, but took the tea anyway. Once the liquid was in her stomach, she cringed in disgust. The liquid had left a sour after taste in her mouth.
"An' I thought my meat pies were disgusting", she said, swallowing up every ounce of saliva she could muster up, to wash away the degreding taste. After her dreadful experience, she looked up at Mr. Todd and smiled politely. A glint in her eyes made almost shudder. Sweeney knew that look. It was the same look that she had used to convince him to allow Toby to live with them. She wanted something. He bit back a groan, and eyed her wearily.
"What?", he asked, wondering what she could possibly want. Eleanor fluddered her eyelids and put on an innocent face. "Well, I was wonderin' if you could take me to the washroom. I feel awfully dirty, and am in need of a bath". Sweeney gave her a skeptical look. A bath? How did she expect to clean herself with a dislocated leg?
"Wos' wrong, love?", Mrs. Lovett asked as she examined his face.
"Do you honestly believe I am going to take you to the washroom? Good lord woman, I'm starting to believe you don't want your leg to heal.", he said. Mrs Lovett gave a 'hmph' and raised her nose stubbornly.
"Forgive me for wonting' to be clean. Ya know you don't 'ave to take me. I think I'm quite capable of making it there on me' own.", she said, nose still held high. Sweeney seemed amused by this. "I would very much enjoy to see you try, Mrs. Lovett."
Eleanor looked at him and smiled. "Alrighty then.", she was about to push herself on to the floor when she felt herself being carried. She smiled at her small triumph. She heard Mr. Todd grumble something about 'insufferable woman' but she dismissed it. Mrs. Lovett was just happy that she was going to get her bath. Sweeney managed to gape the door of the washroom. Once he had entered, he placed Eleanor on a nearby chair. "Wait here while I get the water ready", he said tonelessly. Eleanor nodded. As if she could go anywhere. After he had left, Mrs. Lovett peeled the bandage that was on her head, and felt her skalp. The cut had long ago stopped bleeding, and she was happy to have her noggin back. She also took off the pins that had remained on her head for two bloody days. She felt as if five pounds had been removed. No sooner did Mr. Todd enter, carrying an immense pot. She could see the evaporation lift to the ceiling and found herself holding her breath. It wasn't till Mr. Todd had poured all the steaming water into the tub, that she found herself breathing again. She wanted to bathe, not boil him alive. Once the deed was done, Mr. Todd turned to Mrs. Lovett. "The water is ready", he said. Mrs. Lovett smiled and attempted to get up. Mr. Todd quickly came to her side. Aiding her on the way to the tub. He simply shook his head. He was starting to grow tired of reminding her of her cursed leg. He placed her at the edge of the tub and started to unlace the back of her dress.
Mrs. Lovett froze. "M...Mista ..T..May I ask wot' yar doin'?, she stuttered. Sweeney grunted. "What do you think I'm doing? Prancing around in a garden full of daisies? I'm helping you out of your dress so you can bathe. I don't suppose you want to take a bath wearing clothes now, do you?, he asked. Mrs. Lovett shook her head. She remained still until she felt the tight corset come loose. "I' ll turn around while you fully undress and bathe.", he said.
Eleanor blinked. "Ya will do no such thing. You'll leave the bloody' room, thas' wot ya'll do!", she finished. Not intending to fully undress or bathe, with him still in the room.
Mr. Todd scowled, but turned his back to her. "I am not going to leave you in here alone. For all I know, you could spill water and slip again. This time, breaking both of your legs."
Eleanor frowned. She knew he wasn't going to leave any time sooner. Because of her leg, he had the upper hand. So, she obediently took her clothes off. She gently placed them on the floor and entered the tub. The warm water felt lovely against her skin. She dunked her head into the water to drench her whole head. She remained underwater until her breath ran out, then resurfaced and gasped for breath. After being stranded on the horrible matress, this felt like heaven. Eleanor spotted a bottle on the side and reached for it. It was her bottle of lavender that she always kept in the washroom. She filled her hand with the inner substance, then rubbed it gently into her fiery, red locks. Mrs. Lovett dunked her head once more, to wash away the soap. After she was satisfied with her hair, she grabbed a small towel and filled it with lavender as well. She applicated the towel to her body, scrubbing every inch of her body generously. Once she felt clean again, she managed to sit at the edge of the tub. She reached for the towel that was placed on the chair she was sitting earlier and was satisfied her arm was the right lenght to reach it. She dried off her hair, and her body, then wrapped the towel around her body.
"Mista T. I'm finished, love. You can turn around now.", she said. Sweeney turned around and gawked at her for a few moments. Mrs. Lovett's face was flushed in an attractive pink shade. Her wet curls framed her face in a beautiful manner. He shook his head, eradicating the disturbing thoughts. What the bloody hell was wrong with him? How could he even think that? His poor wife had remained faithful to him, and here he was. Goggling his landlady. He made his way to her and carried her bridal style. He certainly did NOT feel her breasts press into his chest, and he did NOT feel her wet, naked back. Once he got to her bedroom, he deposited her on the bed and turned to face her. Sweeney Todd pictured yellow hair everytime he even thought at staring at Mrs. Lovett's wet cleavage.
"I took the liberty in leaving the clothes out for you. I will go dispose of the water.", Mr. Todd said and gratefefully took his leave. Leaving Eleanor alone to change. She put on her undergarments, and nightgown. Mrs. Lovett then dragged herself to her side of the bed. She laid down, covering herself in her cool sheets. Fortunetely for Mr. Todd, Eleanor had not noticed his rare behavior. Moments later, Sweeney entered. He walked by her and just like the day before, sat by the edge of her bed. "Is your leg in pain?", he asked. She shook her head, and he seemed to relax a little. "Is Toby asleep?", Eleanor questioned. Mr. Todd nodded. "I sent him to bed an hour ago. Before your bath" Mrs. Lovett smiled. "Thank ya, love", she said gratefully. Mr. Todd nodded. After a few moments of silence, Mr. Todd said, "Mrs. Lovett, you should rest. It will help you heal." Mrs. Lovett was about to argue, but yawned instead. Sweeney smirked. Eleanor felt like rubbing the annoying smile from his face when she suddenly felt exhausted.
The last thing she heard was Mr. Todd say in a quiet whisper, "Sleep, pet." After that, she fell into unconsiousness.
Was it horrible? Review for the sake of another chapter!!