A/n: This chapter is going to be from Nellie's point of view. It'll switch between characters from time to time.

Nellie Lovett was walking back to her meat pie shop on Fleet Street. She was carrying a ten pound sack of flour over her shoulder and had a slight limp due to the extra weight. She usually had her husband, Albert, to help her carry it. It was the first time she had bought anything since he had passed on a few days ago.

Poor bugger, she thought.A tiny little slip of an extra ingredient and 'e died of one of 'is favorite types of pies. She sighed a bit. Alright, maybe the extra ingredient 'appened to be arsenic. And maybe when it fell on the pie, I never tried to bake another one. Although, if he been nice to me and appreciated wot I did once in a while, I would've brushed most of it off.

She knew the real reason why she 'accidentally' took Albert's life was not only because he was abusive and mean. There was another person who stole her heart. Benjamin Barker was the complete opposite of grumpy, fat ol' Albert. Ben was kind, gentle, and sweet. There was only one problem. Benjamin, being the perfect man he was, was already married.

Silly lit'le nit, that Lucy is. Never worked a day in 'er life. She don't deserve 'im. Nellie rounded the corner of Fleet Street and could see her shop as she got closer. Well, I s'pose I don't either. I may not be perfect, but I'd still be twice the wife she is! She entered the door to her shop. It wasn't the cleanest of places but it was still clean enough to work and live in.

She set the heavy bag on top of the counter. Her muscles ached in relief. Taking a look around her shop, she figured she would start to clean for the next day when her shop would reopen after a two day break. She took the days off telling her saddened customers that she need time to grieve and say good bye to Albert. Who'd of thought they'd actually believe it.

She grabbed a broom from the broom cupboard at the far end of the kitchen and began to sweep.

As she started her work, Benjamin Barker was making his way down the steps from the room he rented above. He opened the door to her shop, walked in, and closed it quietly. Nellie was so busy in her thoughts, she never noticed him entering the place.

"Hello Nellie!" He greeted cheerfully with a smile.

Mrs. Lovett jumped. She had not expected any one to come into the room.

"Benjamin! You gave me a fright. Me poor old 'eart can't take very many surprises." She said while clutching her hand to her chest as if her heart was about to jump out. Ben chuckled.

"Why Nellie Lovett, you're younger than me! You 'ave plen'y of years to go before you get old!"

"Me weary bones says otherwise, Mr. B," she let the broom lean on the table closest to her. She rubbed her arms which were still sore from carrying the bag of flour.

"Well, Nellie, I assure you I didn't come down 'ere just ta scare you. I have the rent for this month." He held out his hand. In it were several coins.

"It's not the first of the month yet! Ya still 'ave three more days before you have to pay." She said, slightly confused.

"Lucy and I figured, well mostly me, since the price of meat is getting' 'igher, we could pay a bit early." He said shyly. "And, er, wot with the death of Albert, you could use the money."

Nellie sighed. So that's wot this is all about.

"Ben, ta tell ya the truth, I did mosta the work when 'e was alive. 'E would just sit in 'is chair all day long."

"Oh," his bright smiled had started to fade. "Not the most helpful man then, I s'pose."

"No, not really."

"I'm sorry. Nellie, please, take the money for all your troubles."

Nellie looked at his still outstretched hand. She sighed again.

"Oh, alright. Only this time though. I'm not a charity case." She took the money carefully, avoiding touching his skin. She felt as if her stomach did flips when it didhappen.

Ben nodded. "I know. You can take care of yourself. You're a strong woman." She turned away to hide the blush that began to rise in her cheeks.

"I'm not that strong. If I was, I would 'ave 'ad no problem carrying that bag of flower from the market ta 'ere." She pointed to the bag that lay forgotten on the counter. Ben's mouth fell open in shock.

"You carried that all the way over 'ere! You must be tired!" he exclaimed.

Nellie shook her head. "I'm fine. Me arms are sore, but that's it."

Ben took the broom from the table that it laid against. "I can sweep for you. It wouldn't be any trouble."

The red-haired woman laughed at him softly. "I said 'me arms are sore' not 'me arms are 'bout to fall off!'"

He put the broom back down. "Sorry. Nellie, if you need anything, anything at all, I can 'elp you."

"Of course, Ben." She got closer to him to grab the broom. "However, I think Lucy will be needing your attention all the time now."

He looked at her questioningly.

"The baby, remember! She'll be havin' a baby soon."

"Oh, right!" Benjamin suddenly got a glazed look in his eyes. The landlady knew what it was. He would always get that look when he was thinking of his Lucy. She rolled her eyes. Why did I 'ave to bring 'er up? She thought miserably.

"I bet if it's a boy, it'll be the spittin' image of ya." Nellie commented. Her words snapped Ben out of his dream.

"If it's girl, I bet it'll look exactly like y-" he stopped himself. Nellie gave him an odd look. "Lucy. You know, Lucy of course."

"Well, yes, she is the mother." Mrs. Lovett shook her head. She must've imagined him beginning to say the word 'you.'

"Benjamin!" a voice called sweetly down from the floor above. "I have tea ready!" Lucy. Ben turned to the staircase that led to his room.

"I'll be up in a minute dear!" he yelled back to her. Even as he shouted, Nellie still thought he had the voice of an angel. He turned to face her again. "I guess I have to go now."

"It was nice to 'ave ya around while it lasted."

Ben gave a warm smile that made Nellie melt. "It was good to talk to someone other than Lucy, so thank you. I mean no offence to 'er, but all she talks about is the baby. I'm already nervous as it is!"

"I'm sure you'll be a fine father."

"Thank you."

Poor Mrs. Lovett had nothing to say. She just looked him in the eyes, wondering what thoughts were running through his mind.

"Benny!" Lucy's voice sounded again.

Ben straightened up. "Bye. I'll see you tomorrow!" He dashed up the stairs.

"Bye Benjamin. My dear Ben." She whispered to herself. Her gaze followed the path he took up the flight of stairs until he vanished into the room above. "Never will you know how much I love you." She down at the closest table and held her head in her hands.

When a shadow passes her window, she looked up. Judge Turpin was standing at the shop door pointing to the sign that hung there. Beadle Bamford stood there next to him, nodding his head. Although their voices' were muffled she could catch pieces of their conversation.

"We'll… back tomorrow. Perfect…bride..."

"She … say… yes. Who… not… be...married… you?"

Nellie watched as they walked away. I must be going crazy! First, I think I hear Ben starting to say 'you' 'stead of 'Lucy.' Now this? From wot lit'le I 'eard, Judge Turpin must be plannin' on marrin' me! That can't be possible!