Illusions That Confine Us

Chapter Fifteen

"To have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

It was a promise that both of them had made before the minister, God and each other. But unlike her husband, Mrs. Lovett had meant every single word that she said; which is what brought them to the argument that they were about to have at any time now-

It was Sunday afternoon and on Monday morning, Mr. Todd was leaving. He was to aboard a merchant ship full of young, American sailors, at dawn.

Mrs. Lovett had Mr. Todd all packed, everything was ready for his leave, well- almost everything.

Mrs. Lovett wasn't ready at all to let her beloved Sweeney go. She had been crying in secret almost every night now, it was almost pitiful. She never thought it possible to produce as many tears as she had the last few months that she had been married to Sweeney Todd.

She was now in the kitchen cooking supper, probably the last meal that she would ever eat with another human being. Mrs. Lovett couldn't face the Henry's concerned expressions if they showed up on her doorstep again asking what had happened to her husband.

"Just tell them that I died." He told her, "Tell them the truth, just don't tell them anything that would get you into trouble."

She had asked him why he even cared if she ended up into some sort of trouble, but he merely grunted and ignored her.

Why can't he just stay? She thought as tears rolled down her cheeks for the second time today. All he had to do was let her love him, let her be his wife. It didn't matter to her if they had sex or not. She just didn't want her head messed with anymore. Why couldn't he see that all she wanted right now was for him to stay?

Suddenly, Mr. Todd entered the room, she stiffened; grabbing her apron and dabbing her face with it, keeping her back turned to him.

"Mrs. Lovett?"

"Yes?" She answered, trying to stifle her tears as much as possible.

He noticed the weakness in her voice, "Are you-?" He thought a minute, "Are you crying?"

Mrs. Lovett wiped her eyes again, "No."

"Put the knife down." He ordered in a calm voice, knowing that in her emotional state of mind, it was a good idea for her to not be holding any weapons.

Mrs. Lovett obliged, letting go of the knife and placing it gently on the counter in front of her.

"Now turn around."

She did as she was told, and she turned to face him, dropping her head to the ground as soon as he saw her. She was so ashamed of herself, he wasn't worth her tears! But he was… he was worth every last drop…

Her eyes were puffy and red, her cheeks blotchy and pink.

"I've heard you crying." He stated honestly - was that concern that she heard in his voice?

Mrs. Lovett opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Mr. Todd was then taken aback when Mrs. Lovett hurried over to him and buried her head into his chest.

He felt her body shake against his as he stiffened, not knowing what to do to calm her down. So reluctantly and hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Why do you have to go?" She wailed desperately into his shirt.

Mr. Todd sighed, "We've been through this before…"

"But why?" She whispered, finally looking up into his eyes, "Why do you have to leave me?"

"Nothing is going to change if I stay here." It was a lie- and he knew it.

"You're lying." She said, hitting him in the chest, "You're leaving because you know that if you stay - somethin' - something might happen between us…. You're afraid of loving me. Admit it, you coward."

He frowned, he simply came in here to ask her where she put his things so he knew where they were in the morning, now she was just asking for another argument.

"I will never love you." He snapped, pushing her away from him.

"You promised." She croaked out.

"I never promised an-"

"'Till death do us part, that's what you promised."

"It was a promise that you knew I wasn't going to keep!" He exclaimed in frustration, "We've been through this before! I only married you because-"

"Because you needed me! You needed me jus' like the bloody baby you are! You wanted to save my bloody arse along with yours!" She cut in, "Yes, Mr. Todd, I know!"

Sweeney stood speechless, unable to speak, unable to think - It was true.

"I don't want this to end this way." Mrs. Lovett said quietly, after a long period of silence.

"You can't end something that never began." He corrected stubbornly.

Mrs. Lovett let out a frustrated breath, grasping Mr. Todd's shoulders and placing a hungry kiss upon his lips - not planning on stopping until he kissed her back - which he did about two seconds into the kiss.

With reluctance, Mrs. Lovett pulled away, leaning her forehead against his chin. Both panted, confused and exasperated.

He then lifted her chin up so that he could kiss her yet again. His free hand rested on her hip, as his other moved down from her chin to grasp tightly onto her arm. Upon his gesture, Mrs. Lovett suddenly placed her hands onto his chest and pushed him lightly away, causing their lips to detach.

She looked up into his expressionless eyes and whispered huskily, "Exactly."

He wanted to grab her again - kiss her with all his might - finally claim her as his own. But the thought vanished when he remembered, he was going to be leaving her in less than twenty-four hours.

Angered with his thoughts, he pushed her away abruptly, glaring at her and grumbling, "There's nothing here for me."

With that, he turned, and stalked out of the kitchen and back to the backroom.

Mr. Todd has some issues, I'm tellin' ya…

Thanks for everyone's concern regarding my aunt, every review for the last chapter acknowledged it... I was so surprised that people actually bothered to read one of my ridiculous end notes... Thank you :) It really made me feel a little better.

Ohkayzz so this chapter was supposed to be VERY long but I decided that I need some more time with it so I am just gonna give ya this for now :D I hope that you enjoyed it!

W A N T E D

Beta Reader

To edit my mistakes and such...