Mrs. Lovett withdrew a shaky breath after reading who sent her the roses that she received early the next morning.

From, Charles Westward

Maybe it was a sign. She thought. Perhaps it was time for her to move on and accept the fact that Mr. Todd will never get over Lucy and heaven knows what happened fifteen years ago.

--

Mr. Todd massaged his temples as he sat in his chair. He let out a deep sigh. He was tired of living. He basically had no soul purpose to live anymore. Nothing to fulfill his days. All he did was sit in his shop and occasionally talk with Mrs. Lovett. He didn't get a chance to thank her for helping him with his revenge. Come to think of it, it never occurred to him until now that without her… he probably would never have gotten his revenge at all. He had been so blinded by it, he felt like a fool… Almost as naïve as Benjamin was. He didn't want that, he couldn't have everything he had taken away from him again. Then again he didn't really have anything to say so. Except her. Perhaps.

The sky was already turning gray, the rare sunshine that pervaded the London morning sky had vanished. Kind of like his heart and sense of mortality. Although lately he had been finding himself thinking more positive thoughts, normally he would have shaken them away but the thought of a new life of possibilities was somewhat intriguing to him, even if he intended on being alone.

Mrs. Lovett wanted to open his eyes and let him see the life he could have and that he could once again live. Live the life he never got to fulfill, and live the life that she'd always dreamed. She would do anything to make him happy, hell at this point she'd be will to prance down Fleet Street in her bloomers if it would make him happy, or at least let out a laugh. She wouldn't care if they dragged her to the Looney bin she just wanted him to live at least one moment without thinking of his dreadful past. Even just the slightest second of forgetting would make her remember it forever.

--

Later on in the morning an hour before Mrs. Lovett had to open Mrs. Lovett was standing on a chair, broom in hand and was mopping the ceiling.

Mr. Todd found this one of the most peculiar ways he has ever seen her clean, being that she looked so concentrated on it, any normal woman would have just dusted it, but probably never mop it . Then again the ceilings had gotten quite filthy and she probably did want to attract more customers being that business hasn't been as good without the people pies.

Speaking of which. What did he plan on doing after his revenge? Just sit in his barber shop and rot away… if only Mrs. Lovett him. He thought. Because without her always checking up on him he would have probably already killed himself. Then again he wouldn't want to sink to Lucy's level. Not that he hated her for taking the poison… It was perfectly understandable but the thought that his ever so virtuous Lucy would be so selfish and would practically abandon Johanna and leave her to the fate of living with that horrible Judge for fifteen years was simply preposterous, not to mention vain.

He then walked further into the room, Mrs. Lovett still obviously hadn't noticed he was in her presence and spoke, "What are you doing?"

Mrs. Lovett jumped and nearly fell off the counters. Luckily our barbers quick reflexes and strong arms caught her before she went tumbling to the floor.

He was holding her bridal style now. Her gaze went from angry to embarrassed to awkward and then to blank. She felt so perfect in his arms like this, and she felt so… complete. Staring dreamingly into his eyes with a blank expression made him oblivious to what she was thinking of.

Neither of them had realized it until an recognizable girly- I mean manly figure appeared in the doorway and exclaimed, "Mrs. Lov-"

Mr. Todd immediately cleared his throat awkwardly and put her back on her feet, recognizing the annoying voice.

"Thanks for catching me, love." Mrs. Lovett absentmindedly said, her thoughts still on the way he had her in his arms.

He grunted and cleared his throat again, "Yes, of course." A few more seconds passed and still both of them were speechless. It wasn't obvious to either of them that they were only moments before thinking practically the same thoughts.

"Anthony. What are you doing here?" Sweeney asked, half concerned, was something wrong with Johanna?

"Sir I am so sorry to disturb you but I must know-"

Mr. Todd placed his hand on the back of Anthony's neck and led him to the door, "Calm down, boy. We'll talk upstairs."

Anthony hesitated nervously, remembering what Johanna told him and swallowed hard, "Yes sir… Of course…" Anthony then turned around and looked at Mrs. Lovett whom was a tad bit pissed off that Anthony had ruined yet another one of their sweet yet rare moments. "It was nice seeing you Mrs. Lovett."

Mrs. Lovett faked a smile and replied half honestly, "'Course, dear."

--

The door to his shop shut loudly after Mr. Todd led Anthony in.

He thought about what Mrs. Lovett said, he could have her before the day is out… But he couldn't do that, what would he do with Johanna anyways? Besides, she was all grown up and Anthony, as much as he dreaded to admit it, was a good boy.

"Now what are you doing back in London?" Mr. Todd began flat out, not wanting to waste time with small talk.

"We arrived last night, we heard the rumors of Judge Turpin and beadle Bamford disappearing. Rumors claim that they were last seen entering your shop and from what Johanna tells m-"

Sweeney grabbed Anthony's shoulders and forced him to sit in his barber chair, "What did Johanna say to you boy tell me or-"

"You'll do what you did to the others?" mental high five. That was good, especially for Anthony.

"When did she tell you?" Mr. Todd asked as he loosened his grip on his shoulders, a sudden rush of respect for Anthony had just practically electrocuted him.

"A few days ago, after we started hearing the rumors."

Mr. Todd then let go off his grasp on Anthony's shoulders and stood up before him, "Rumors?" His voice was a low whisper full of worry for his safety and secretly- Mrs. Lovett's.

"Yes, and I just thought I could help by warning you and I advise to leave for at least a few months or so, just until the rumors die down." Anthony's voice was nervous as well as eager.

Sweeney Todd didn't move for a good solid minute. He didn't know what he was going to do or how he was going to tell Mrs. Lovett, she would probably be safe staying here so maybe he wouldn't have a problem, he just had to figure out where he was going to go for the time being.

"Mr. Todd?" Anthony inquired as he saw the completely blank expression go from vacant to worry all in a matter of just a few seconds.

Sweeney shook his head and sighed.

"Mr. Todd it is my earnest wish for you to be safe after all we are friends-"

"I have no friends." The barber added quickly but that he glanced over at his razor and secretly thought, except them.

Anthony stood up and walked up to him, "Sir, Johanna and I were wondering if you would like to accompany us on our next voyage. We aren't going far we should be back in about month or so, by the time we get back it should be safe to stay here."

"Alright." Mr. Todd then walked to the door and opened it for Anthony, his rare but sudden want to talk to Mrs. Lovett had quickly vanished but the thought of her hadn't.

"Thank you for your time Mr. Todd, we leave next Tuesday, I'll meet you by the docks at around five am, that way we won't arouse suspicion." Anthony smiled faintly for he was somewhat afraid of Sweeney and let out a hand.

Sweeney shook it and moments later Anthony was gone along with his hope for the ghosts of the pasts gradually fading away. For he knew that no matter what he did or who he did it with they would always be there to haunt him for as long as he shall live.

--

"Brought ya some dinna love!" Mrs. Lovett exclaimed as she came prancing into his barber shop with a tray in one hand and a basket of laundry in the other.

How she'd learned to balance things like that and open doors and such- he'd never know.

"What's wrong, love? You're actin' stranger than usual…" She remarked as she sat the tray on his desk and sat the basket on top of the chest next to the door.

"Nothing." He grumbled, "Goodnight."

Not even a thank you. She thought. His mood swings sometimes… You'd think he was on the rag.

And with one last glance and a quick "Goodnight." Mrs. Lovett was out of his shop and down to bed, it was a good thing though- because tomorrow was going to be quite the day.

Yayz for meat pies!! lol XD Random, ha ha I am in a somewhat good mood because I have this whole story planned out almost! And my birthday is the 2nd of October aka tomorrow! & I am going to wear my favorite shirt in the world! &Yes it is my super duper Sweeney Todd shirt! So as a birthday present or just because you are sooo…… wonderful… You'd review and maybe just maybe be at least a tad bit thrilled that I am going to update "You Shall Drip Rubies" super soon :D! I just have to find that damn paper…

I love you all!

By the way Anthony angers ones sole he does! Always interrupting, jeez he is worse than Lucy!

So Charles Westward is still trying to seduce Mrs. Lovett and she is thinking about giving in…

Mr. Todd is leaving with Anthony and Johanna… Oh what ever will happen to these poor fella's?