I was restless after Anthony had left for Johanna's company. There had been not a fuss sounding from the room, and so I knew very well he was finally accepted. Mrs Lovett stayed warily by my side, having sent Toby from the room after he tried to gain entrance.

"He shouldn't even be here," I said repeatedly.

"Yeh're the one that paid 'is bail, love."

"This should never have happened!"

"I'm not arguing with yeh on that."

I scowled at her, then paced the floor.

"Can I just ask, Mr T-"

"What?"

Mrs Lovett bit her lip, looking at me through lowered lashes. I could tell immediately she was embarrassed.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Just…why? Why'd yeh let the boy out?"

I sneered, folding my arms. For a moment, I and Mrs Lovett stared at each other. Not a word passed between us, and instead there simply stood a silence to pain the ears. Finally, I chuckled darkly.

"My last cruel deed, I should think."

"What do yeh mean, love?"

"I've given up on any such cruelties as murder. You can't have a daughter and still think it appropriate," I added in an almost explanation.

"I don't understand."

"There is still something in the world that must be taught. This is a lesson that should forever be placed in his mind."

Mrs Lovett nodded slowly, although I doubt she knew what I spoke of. I sighed.

"The only way I could ever have learnt these lessons was by losing my dearest possessions."

"Johanna?"

"And Lucy."

She nodded, and then suddenly her eyes widened.

"Yeh don't mean-"

"Indeed, I do."

"But I thought yeh'd never do that to another man! Never!"

"He has been freed from prison, and I intend never to send a man there again."

"Then…what?"

"We move."

"Move?" she inquired, confused.

"The moment Johanna's child is born- my grandchild- we shall leave. He shall never know."

Mrs Lovett shuffled her feet uneasily. I could see the regret and guilt in her eye. There was something more innocent I could see about her ever since we had moved to the sea. She seemed finally at peace, and this was the emotion that had come of this newfound purity. I had to say, it was pitiful.

"You have seen men carved and served up for meals, Mrs Lovett," I reminded her. "I think it wise of you not to become mournful of this idea."

"Never dream of it, Mr T," she said quietly.

"Make sure you don't," I warned her, turning to the door.

"Do yeh think it best to disturb them now?" Mrs Lovett asked me timidly before I touched the door handle.

"Johanna has not been quiet for so long without being asleep ever since…" I stopped, then carried on out of the door. Mrs Lovett did not follow me, and the last I saw of her was a melancholy feature upon her face.

For a strange, fleeting moment, I could not help but pity her.

This passed as I walked on to Johanna's room. I did not bother knocking on the door, but found that I didn't have to. Johanna was, as I presumed, fast asleep. I was stopped in my tracks, though, at the close proxemics between my daughter and Anthony. It seemed that she had already taken such a liking to him that she allowed him to embrace her.

Anthony looked up as I had walked in, having been staring at Johanna.

"Mr Todd, sir, what are you doing here?"

"This is my house, I should think I can go where I wish."

He said nothing, and instead pulled Johanna closer to his breast, smoothing her hair. I looked down at her, tilting my head.

"She hasn't taken such a liking to anyone so quickly for a while," I mused.

"She hadn't met me yet," Anthony replied smoothly.

"Johanna does not remember you," was the only thing I could say, but I said it with such conviction that he winced.

"I'll have you know she knows much more than you give her credit for."

"I highly doubt that."

Again, Anthony scowled at me, and held out his hand.

"Then explain this. Johanna remembers our marriage to some degree at least."

I stared intently at his ring for a moment, and then shook his head.

"I wish I could believe that."

"She does, Mr Todd."

I shook my head again. It was down near impossible for such to happen, and I did not wish to start believing it now.

"Think what you will, Mr Todd," Anthony said to me coldly, "but it is true."

"Let us not dwell on that. I think it is time you leave her be now."

"No," he said bluntly. I clenched my fist instinctively.

"No?"

"I'm not leaving her now. She's only just drifted to sleep."

"Making it all the easier to leave."

With slight delight, I saw another flash of impatient anger on Anthony's face. He shook his head again.

"Even if I wanted to, she is all too responsive in her sleep. If I moved, she would wake."

"Then awake her if you must, for I don't allow you any more time with her than what I have thought of originally."

Briefly, Johanna stirred in her sleep, simply shifting in Anthony's arms and groaning in annoyance of something. Anthony hurriedly smoothed her hair and hushed her. To my surprise, she immediately sighed happily and was still.

My temper rose slightly, finding myself not the only being in the world now to be able to soothe my daughter. Anthony looked up at me, and seemed to notice my annoyance. At this, he smiled.

"I told you," he reminded me.

"That's neither here nor there. Now go," I added sternly.

"You are in no position to shun me. I refuse to leave my wife or child."

"If I can do it then you can."

"Did you ever leave your unborn child?" he asked curiously.

I froze for a moment. Honestly, there was no point in saying I had. No one would ever believe me, having known Benjamin Barker or not.

"It is in your best interest you do not inquire that."

"I have still proven my point," Anthony said proudly, nodding to show it. I bared my teeth in a low growl.

"Get out now."

Anthony sighed, and reluctantly began to move gently from Johanna's side. She began to stir again, clutching her arms around Anthony's waist. I exhaled frustratedly, and moved towards the two. Carefully, I pulled Johanna from the boy and laid her on her back on the bed. Once standing, Anthony looked at me with a sudden frustration.

"You must always get your own way, mustn't you?" he said sharply.

"If this were my own way you would still be in that prison," I replied.

"Then why free me in the first place?"

Without turning to face him, I smiled to myself. Or, at least, the word sneer would have been more appropriate.

"Why else? If I had had the choice, Johanna never would have grown without me by her side."

There was not another word between us as Anthony left the room in a flurry. I watched as the door closed, then returned my attention to Johanna. She still slept, although it was still evident that her slumber was not as peaceful as it had been before. I ignored this. Why would I wish to concentrate on something that saddened me so?