Splintered Dreams

(Chapter 9)

By: Sweeneytodgirl58

I am soo sorry thatI haven't updated. Everytime that I wanted to continue, something came up. And if that wasn't already bad enough, I had an author's block. Yeah, sucks, I know. After much effort, and dedication, I bring you, this chapter. Thank soo much for those who take time and read my story! And super thanx to those who take the time to review! Even one review makes me smile, no matter what it says. I know the last chapter was kinda, um anti-climatic for a death scene, and I apologize greatly for that, I'm not good at describing those. Sorry for rambling, and I hope you enjoy this........

It wasn't long, before the dissappearence of both the beadle and the judge was reported. Many were curious as to where the two had vanished, but the fact was that most of the people of London didn't actually care. In fact, many celebretated the evanescence of the two. The beadle and the judge had formulated quite a reputation in London, and it had not been a very nice one. They were soon replaced, and forgotten. And it didn't take Anthony Hope a mere second to take Johanna away. (One would say the two lovers were blessed at the great turn of events.) Unfortunately, Sweeney had not gotten the chance to take a glimpse at his daughter; although Anthony had stopped by to say his farewell. To not have been able to see his offspring, was as if someone had ran a sharp-edged razor along Mr. Todd's ghastly throat. He had been un-able to witness the daughter that he had never been able to be there for. Yes, indeed it had "burdened him greatly, but atleast his daughter would be able to live her life as she was meant to. She would finally have a chance to be happy. Mr. Todd was sure that him and his daughter would never cross paths again, but he thought that for the best. She would always remain in his heart. She would always be his little girl.

And she would always stay, beautiful and pale with yellow hair. The way he had dreamed she would be.

" I feel like a bloody' child.", Eleanor muttered as she sat at the opposite side of her adopted son. Her arms crossed infront of her chest.

Toby's dark eyebrows furrowed as he glanced at his mother. He licked his lips nervously as he tried reasoning with his mum. "Listen, mum, that doctor could have been wrong! For all we know, your leg can actually be far from being healed. Come on, mum. Take a few more days of rest. Just to make sure you'll be okay! Just a few more days, please!"

Eleanor sighed as she shifted on her seat. Finally, after 3 months of laying in bed bored out of her mind, the doctor had finally confirmed her that her leg was in good condition to move. This meant that she would be able to walk again. Of course both Toby and Sweeney weren't to fond of the idea of Mrs. Lovett marching around.

"Listen to the boy, Eleanor. I am positive that a few more days of rest won't kill you.", Mr. Todd said, while placing both hands on her shoulders and pushing her gently back to the chair. Eleanor narrowed her eyes at the two males infront of her. This was ludicrous! A few months ago, both Sweeney and Toby were strangers to each other. Now, both were supporting each other on her well-being! Mrs. Lovett was now starting to regret allowing Toby to be Sweeney's assistant. The red-headed baker turned her gaze at a portrait that hung next to her wardrobe. In the portrait, two young girls were running across a field of daisies. The sun could be detected on the top-right corner of the portrayal. Eleanor sent daggers at the mocking picture. She then turned her dark, chocolate orbs back at Toby and Sweeney. Anger easily detected.

"You two are actin' ridiculous! 'You are free to walk around, Ma'am', that's wot' the doctor said! I don't see why you two are makin' such a fuss!", Eleanor said in an exasperated voice. As the words left her pallid, pink lips, Mrs. Lovett attempted once more to stand. But it was to no avail, for the man that she loved pushed her right back down.

"We are not making a fuss, Mrs. Lovett. We are only taking precautions on your health.", Mr. Todd replied.

"Precautions for wot' exactly? My leg is finally betta' and now both of you won't allow me to wolk! Aren't you two tired of taking care of this old bag of bones!"

"No", both Sweeney and Toby replied simultaneously.

"Well, fine then. I'll make you two a deal.", Mrs. Lovett said hopefully. Both the barber and his apprentice raised an eyebrow. It amazes me wot a few months did to these two. For goodness sakes, it's as if they both share a brain, Eleanor thought while suppressing the urge to . Todd and Toby glanced at each other with a confused look on their faces. They both knew the baker, and they knew she was one for brainstorming. After a few moments of considering the possibilities, they both nodded.

"What do you mean deal?", Sweeney asked.

The corners of the baker's mouth turned upward. After clearing her throat a couple of times, she said," For starters, you two will allow me to wolk." As Mr. Todd was about to interrupt Mrs. Lovett, Eleanor raised a hand to silence him. "If I fall down, I will rest for 3 more days. How bout' it? We got a deal?" Toby glanced a Mr. Todd with a worried look on his face.

Mr. Todd thought on the bargain for a few seconds and then smirked. "Deal", he finally said. Smirk still plastered on his handsome face.

"But", he continued, "When you are walking, you are not allowed to have an escort. Meaning, the boy and I shall not help you." Eleanor pursed her lips. Not being able to lean on her partners for support was certainly going to make the task more challenging. But, that certainly was not going to stop the baker from her chance at freedom. Taking a huge, deep breath, Eleanor prepared herself to stand. As she stood up, her knees felf as if they would buckle, but Mrs. Lovett stood her ground. She bit her lip as she placed one leg infront of her(left leg) then continued with her right leg. She let out a shaky breath as she took a few more steps. Sighing with relief, she turned to face Toby and Sweeney. They both had upset looks on their faces.

"There. Ya' see? No harm done in me movin' around again. Now, off with the two of ya'. You both still got a shop ta run, and I need to start bakin' them pies that I'll be needin for tomorrow."

"Wait.", Sweeney said. Turning to face his landlady. "Your going to open your shop tomorrow?! Are you mad?! Atleast wait a week before opening your shop."

Eleanor gave Sweeney a half-hearted smile. "I've been in that bloody' mattress for three whole months. I think that's enough rest for my ol' arse. Now, off with both of you."

"But, mum don't yo-

"Don't you 'mum' me. I said wot' I meant and I meant wot' I said. Now shoo!"

Though they still didn't agree with the baker, both the barber and his apprentice exited the room, and made their way to the barber shop. Eleanor Lovett sighed contently and said to herself, "It's good to be back on my own two feet."

With a last swipe, Mr. Todd stood up and handed a hand-held mirror to his final customer. The client took the mirror gratefully and admired his close shave. He nodded in approval and handed Mr. Todd his pay. "Thank you, Mr. Todd. I promise you that this is not the last time you shall see me." Sweeney nodded in response and sighed with relief as the old man left his shop.

How was it, that the last customer would always drain all of his remaining strenght? As Sweeney handed the razor to Toby, he walked toward the window in his shop. He could see the stars shining down at him. Each and every star twinkling in the sky of London. Sweeney closed his eyes as he reminisced nights when he and Lucy would look up at the sky.

xxFlashbackxx

Benjamin Barker had just placed little Johanna in her crib. After tucking her in, he spotted his dear wife near the window. Her clear, blue orbs glancing up at the sky. Ben smiled as he gazed at his wife. Taking quiet steps, so as to not wake Johanna, he made his way to his wife. He nuzzled his nose into her neck, and inhaled softly. Enjoying the scent, as if it caressed his nostrils. Ben laced his arms around his beautiful wife, and gazed up at the stars as well.

"Benny?", Lucy asked as she continued to gaze at the stars.

"Hmmm?"

"Have you ever seen a shooting star?"

Ben closed his eyes as he continued to hold his wife. He smiled as he responded, "Of course. How do you think I met you?"

Lucy laughed softly and said, "I'm serious Benny. I've never seen one before. What does a shooting star look like?"

Ben re-called the star that he had seen whith his family when he was a young lad. He still remembered the way the star slided across the dark, blue sky. How the trail that the star left, was just as illuminous as the other stars.

"Well", he said, "Just imagine a light, well no that's not a good example. How about, when you see, no that won't work either." As Benjamin thought of a way to describe the star from his childhood, he glanced up at the dark sky before him. He smiled as he did so, and said, "Well, it seems I won't be needing to describe it to you. Look up there, my love." The yellow-haired beauty gazed up at the sky of London and gasped, for there before them, a shooting star was crossing.

"It's beautiful.", Lucy said in awe.

Mr. Barker smiled as he placed a kiss at the top of his wife's head and said, "It can't be compared to your beauty."

And they both stood there, laced in each others arms. Glancing at the star that streamed the heavens above.

xxEnd of Flashbackxx

Sweeney was then pulled out of the memory, as he felt a tug on his sleeve. Mr. Todd looked down, and found two brown, innocent eyes staring up at him. Toby. During the three months that Toby had been his apprentice, he had developed a fondness for the boy. More and more, Sweeney found himself referring to Toby as son. The young child didn't seem to mind, and Sweeney was glad for that. A part of the barber, hoped that the boy would refer to him as dad. But may I remind you, that was only a part of him. The other half of Sweeney was disgusted by the idea. Either way, it didn't seem to matter. For the time being, Toby would refer to him as 'Mr. Todd', anrd hopefully it would remain that way. Sweeney shook his head, then gazed down at the boy.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?".

Toby frowned. It wasn't unusual for his master to day dream. If it could be called day-dreaming. Toby just wished it didn't happen so often.

"I said if it wos' alright for me to retire for the day. I already cleaned the razors for you, and I sweeped the hairs off the floor.", The youngster repeated.

It took a moment for the words to register, but finally the words kicked in and Sweeney Todd nodded. Seconds after, he heard the bell on top of his door ring. As he was beggining to get lost into another memory, the bell to his shop rang once more. The boy must have forgotten to change the sign to close again, Sweeney thought dryly. Mr. Todd turned around and was about to tell the person to take a hike, when he saw his landlady standing before him. Sweeney's obsidian eyes widened at the sight of th petite baker before him. It had been a long time since he saw Mrs. Lovett in his shop. In fact, the last time she had been inside his shop, a very nasty argument had occured.

Before he could say anything, Eleanor broke the silence by pointing to the tray of food in hand and saying, "Brought ya' some dinner, love. Toby wos tha' only one who came down for lunch so I figured you'd be hungry".

The red-headed baker made her way across the room, and placed the platter on a table. After a few moments of silence, Mr. Todd found his voice. "You really shouldn't have come upstairs. Today was the first day you began walking again. You should be taking it easy on your leg." Eleanor rolled her eyes.

"Tha' bloody' ol leg is healed. I promise ya'," Mrs. Lovett said as she made her way toward Mr. Todd. She was planning to pull him away from the window so that he could eat. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

That morning, her leg had not given away, for she had concentrated greatly. Throughout the day, though, there had been some mishaps. For example, while making her way to the bake-house, she had taken a hasty step and fell. Luckily, Toby, nor Sweeney had witnessed any of her previous plummets. Now, on the other hand, as she was making her way to Mr. Todd, her right leg gave out.

Mrs. Lovett felt hersefl falling, when all of a sudden, she felt a strong grip on her waist. Eleanor opened her eyes, for she had closed them when she was falling, and glanced up. Sweeney's eyes were staring down at her. She could see something in them, but she just couldn't place a finger as to what it was. His exquisite lips were pursed, and she could feel his heartbeat against her. Without thinking, Eleanor straightened up, until she was on her tip-toes and sealed his lips, with her own. He froze beneath her. She felt his muscles tense and couldn't help but feel fear.

Now you've done it, you stupid, fool. Better prepare yourself for the razor thas' gonna' be slided across yer throat.", Eleanor thought with remorse. Just as she was about to pull away, she felt Mr. Todd's lips press down on her own. At first, the poor baker thought she was hallucinating. But as she felt his warm lips move across her own, the thought dissappeared. The kiss deepened, and Eleanor felt ecstatic. So many nights she had dreamed of this moment. Eleanor had had many dreams of his lips brushing aginst her own, but it couldn't be compared to this. As they ran out of breath, they relesed their embrace against each other.

Eleanor blushed furiously. "I've...I've better get goin'. Don't wont to leave Toby by himself downstairs." Mr. Todd nodded, his face expressionless. But, it might have been a flicker, but Eleanor was sure she had seen a flash of lust in his eyes. Sweeney Todd turned his face back at the window and said, "Thank you for the dinner, Mrs. Lovett."

Eleanor felt her heart sank. He was going to treat it like it never happened. A tear slide down the pallid cheek of Mrs. Lovett, but she brushed it away with the back of her hand. She made her way to the door, and before she left, she said, "Sweet dreams, Mister T." After that, she was gone.

Once he was sure Eleanor had left, Sweeney banged his head against the window frame. Why had he kissed her? Better yet, why had she kissed him? Was it a way of showing gratitude for caring for her? No, no no no. This wasn't happening. This was all, just a bad dream.

But if it was indeed a bad dream. Then why had her lips felt so good against his own?

WOW! How clueless can our Sweeney be? Ah well, that's why we love him!

Sweeney: I'm not clueless.

Me: Of course not! *wink* *wink*

Sweeney: Is something wrong with your eye?

Me: Um. No. Oh. Wait. I just figured something.

Sweeney: What?

Me: Your next to me! *tackles sweeney todd and starts kissing him*

Sweeney: NO! NO! SOMEBODY HELP ME! I'M ALLERGIC TO LOVE!

Well, that's the end of this chapter! Show a girl some love and review! If you do, you'll get to play seven minutes in heaven with a tied up Mr. Todd!

Sweeney: Wait, WHAT!

RR :)