A/N: This chapter is kinda dodgy...not sure why. I seem to be doubting myself a lot lately...I hope it's not the beginnings of a writer's block O.O
Mrs. Lovett returned home as the sky grew darker. Jess had already left earlier, but Mrs. Lovett wanted to work as soon as possible. She chatted with the customers, and chatted with Jenny and her daughter, who was only four and worked the ovens.
When she got home, she saw that Sweeney already had a customer. She entered the room quietly, as to not disturb him, and sat in the corner where the armchair was.
A small frown was etched on his face as he concentrated, making sure to apply the right amount of pressure – to not clip or nip the lip or chin. He was careful but swift, until the man's face was soft and smooth.
"Thanks," the man marveled, stroking his cheeks as Sweeney pulled the white sheet from around his neck.
"The pleasures all mine," Sweeney waved the man off.
He silently dusted off the chair, oblivious to Mrs. Lovett's presence. He cleaned up his bench, then started sharpening his razors.
"This room's awful dark," Mrs. Lovett commented, and he jumped.
"Bloody hell. When did you get there?" he whipped around, peering through the thick veils of darkness to see her.
"Just as you were finishing up with that customer," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Sorry if I scared you,"
He frowned, looking around.
"It is dark," he admitted, "Wouldn't be good for me to cut off someone nose because I couldn't see,"
She didn't know whether he was joking, but a second later, his lips curved into a smile. She laughed.
"We'll look about getting some lamps or something," she said and he nodded.
Jess stepped into the room, a smile on her face.
"Dinner's ready," she said softly, and Mrs. Lovett nodded.
"Thanks dear…"
Jess left the room and Mrs. Lovett stood. When she reached the door, she turned, peering at Sweeney though the gloom.
"We'll be alright now, won't we love?" she asked softly, and he walked towards her until he was visible.
"We're getting by," he said softly, repeating her words from long ago. "Not like I remember, and not exactly like you imagined…but we're getting by,"
He had added a word, Mrs. Lovett noticed.
Exactly.
Whether it was intentional or not, she filed it away for safekeeping.
"Of course," she said as quietly, heading back to the house.
Sweeney watched after her for a while.
He was wrong.
She was exactly like he remembered. The flirty gazes, the innocent conversations while she was working – all the memories were crystal clear. They floated in front of his eyes, more often than not these days.
He followed her silently.
Dinner was silent too; they all seemed to be lost in their own thoughts.
"Well," Jess said softly, standing up and taking her plate to the sink. "I've got a day shift tomorrow, so I'm going to bed now,"
"Night love," Mrs. Lovett was still sitting, even though she had finished her meal a while ago.
Jess nodded, heading into the second bedroom.
"Why does everything feel so empty?" Mrs. Lovett asked, staring at her plate.
Sweeney looked up at her, his eyebrows knitting into a frown.
"What?"
"My body…it feels like…a void," she whispered. "I don't know. I don't feel like there's anything inside me,"
Sweeney huffed. He hated this emotional crap.
"You'll feel better after you sleep," he said, a phrase he'd repeated several times.
She shook her head and he stood, taking her plate to the sink with his. He hoisted her out of her seat, supporting her and helping her to the bedroom. Lately, he'd been switching between sleeping in the third bedroom and with Mrs. Lovett.
Tonight, he decided to spend with her.
She dressed silently in the corner, sectioned off with a divider. When she was done, she found Sweeney already sitting with the covers over his legs, only wearing his white button up. She slipped under the sheets, cautiously moving around as to not disturb him.
He remained sitting up, expecting her to talk, but she rolled over so her back was to him. With a shrug, he lowered himself onto the mattress.
He looked at the ceiling, waiting for Mrs. Lovett's breathing to calm and deepen.
It didn't.
In fact, Sweeney could've sworn it sped up. He rolled over slightly, trying to peer at her through the darkness.
"You okay?" he hissed, but there wasn't an answer.
He left it a few moments, listening to her breathing get faster and faster, until strangled sobs erupted from her lips. Sweeney sat up, rolling her over and hoisting her into his arms.
He'd done this a few times since Toby had died – all around her time of the month.
"It's worse," she wheezed, trying to control herself.
"I know," she'd said that the last time.
"It feels like…like Toby's inside of me, scratching my insides….punishing me for letting him died," this was new.
He held her tightly against his chest, stroking her hair softly. He hated to see her cry.
"I…" she started, but had to catch her breath. "I can't…I can't do this no more. I want him back so much,"
"I know,"
She started coughing, the tremors violently shaking her body until she was left without breath. Her sobs only made it worse, until she was gasping.
"Calm down," he commanded, frowning at her.
She listened to him, hugging him tightly as she struggled to breathe.
"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at him.
His raised eyebrow in the dark prompted her to continue.
"Without you, I don't think I would've made it all the way here. I would've lost it a lot sooner, and you tolerate me so much," she whispered.
He placed an arm around her, stroking her hair absently.
"Thank you, Mr. T,"
She pushed on his chest so she was face to face with him. In the dark, she found his lips and captured them in a sweet kiss.
And he didn't pull away.
A/N: I can't get enough of the crying leading to a kiss scenes, can I? I should stop that. O.O