A/N: Ok, so this was supposed to be a nice little fic about Nellie and Johanna, but well, the Sweenett just got in the way... *facepalm*

R&R!

Ele

XxX

The little house was set a mile in from the shore, and was painted a stark white with blue trimmings. It was quaint, with a little porch that looked out over the waves. The sea is calm, as it was coming onto darkness, bright oranges and pink hues painting the sky as the sun slowly sank beneath the waves.

The little house is quiet and calm too, and a lone couple sits in the sand together.

The boy that accompanied them isn't there either, out visiting a friend for the night. The other couple, the young ones, and so happy and bright and full of life, are missing too, probably gone back to their own home for the night. The couple sits in the sand, soaking up the beauty of nature and enjoying each other's presence.

Sweeney Todd had never struck Nellie as a person to enjoy watching the sunset or even cuddling while doing it, but here she sat, his legs on either side of her, and his arms curled around her, his cheek rubbing against her hair and occasionally dropping a kiss to her neck or shoulder.

Their lives had been surprisingly quiet and- dare she say it, peaceful, since moving to the seaside. Johanna and Anthony had a little house some ways up, closer to the port, where Anthony worked. They came over everyday, or at least Johanna did, and they enjoyed tea while they chatted. Sometimes, Johanna asked her about the past, and what it was like before Benjamin was sent away, and other days, they chatted about simple things like Sweeney's barbershop or Toby or even the newest addition to the Hope family who was on his way.

Sweney was most displeased at first, claiming that he was too young to be a grandfather, but Johanna had laughed and smoothed down his hair, kissing his cheek as she said,

"Not to worry Dad, you shall be the handsomest grandfather around."

That seemed to ease him a bit, or maybe it was just being able to be close to his daughter after so long.

Living with Sweeney wasn't easy. At times, he showed a gentler side of him, and she saw how he cared for them, even if he didn't out rightly say it. But then, there were the days when he would withdraw into the memories, the blood and the bodies and the scorching kiss of the sun as he tasted the bite of the whip. Those were the days when he was moody and terse, and she couldn't get a single word out of him. Those were also the hardest days, days when they would get into little spats, and she would wonder why she ever followed him and stayed.

But then he would just lie down in her bed, curl up next to her, one arm around her waist as he buries his face in her hair, and she knows that she could never bear to be away from him, just as she can't ever bear to be away from Johanna, or even little Tobias.

Nellie sighs in his arms and cuddles closer to him, and she couldn't think of anywhere she'd rather be at that moment.

XxX

"'Appy Birthday, Mum!"

"Happy Birthday Mum!"

"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Lov- er, Todd!"

"'Ppy Birfay Naa!"

Nellie Todd smiled, looking around at her house that was full of the people in her life that she loved so dearly. Although she had aged another year, something she utterly loathed as it was visible in the hairline wrinkles around her mouth, she was happy to once again have her home full. Johanna kissed her on the cheek, smoothing the fiery tresses on her head in her own loving gesture, and handed the bouncing baby in her arms to the older woman.

"Oh, come here, let me see you!" she cooed to little Jaimie Hope, who giggled and stuck one fist in his mouth.

Nellie laughed and kissed his forehead, handing him back to his mother, despite his cries of , "Naa! Naa!" as he grasped with little fists at Nellie.

Toby kissed her on her cheek, actually having to bend, with how tall he had grown. He handed her a small wrapped parcel, proudly proclaiming,

"Paid for that with money I earned workin' at the butchers! Didn't even have to ask Mr. T for any!"

Nellie smiled and hugged him close, only reaching his shoulder as he had grown so much. He and Mr. T had a running joke of how short she was, constantly picking on her and teasing.

When the living room was empty, everyone having gone outside to enjoy the sand and surf, a pair of arms encircled her waist and she turned, snuggling into her husband's embrace.

"Happy Birthday, pet," he murmured lowly in her ear, squeezing her side and dropping a kiss on her hair. She smiled and pulled her head away to look up at him, and she grinned when she noticed the little red velvet box he had in his hand, a small bow perched on top.

He gave her a small smile, silently urging her to open it. She carefully took the box, opening it to reveal a thin chain of silver with a swirling pendant of diamonds, and one tear-shaped ruby in the center.

She gasped audibly, and he gently took it from her, clasping it around the graceful curve of her neck, and just faintly touching the pendant where it rested above the swell of her breasts.

"It reminded me of your hair," he said quietly, bringing his hand up and running it through the unruly curls.

She smiles a beam at him, and pulls him down for a kiss, feeling his smirk against her mouth, and hearing the voices of the children on the porch, but beyond it all, the everlasting sigh of the sea.

Yes, she thinks, this is everything she has ever wanted.