He was thinking about something and Nellie saw that.
,, What's on your mind, love?'' She asked.
,, Oh, uh…'' He cleared his throat. ,, I was just thinking if you would like to go to the seaside to watch the sunset.''
He looked a bit worried about something when she didn't know what to say.
,, A sunset you say?'' She asked. ,, I think I'll go with you. It will be nice to have some fresh air.'' She smiled.
He felt relieved and glad she said yes. ,, Great! Trust me this will be the moment you'll never forget.'' He smiled and went back to his shop.
,, What was that all about?'' She asked Toby.
,, I don't know, but I'm sure he's hiding something.'' He said.
Just as Sweeney opened the door, he heard Toby's voice:
,, You really like my mum don't you?''
He turned around. ,, Of course. She's an amazing and a strong woman.''
He welcomed Toby inside his shop. ,, Toby? Can I trust you a secret?'' He asked him.
,, Of course, sir. I won't tell anyone about it. I promise.'' He sat down in the barber chair.
,, Okay. Tonight I'm taking Nellie to the seaside for a picnic and to watch the sunset.'' He smiled.
,, Wow! That sounds really romantic, sir.'' Toby was amazed about how much Sweeney loved his mum.
,, Would you like to get married with her someday?'' He asked very serious, because he really wanted his mum to be happy.
,, It would be my honor if your mum would say yes.'' He smiled.
,, Of course she would!'' Toby said.
,, How do you know that?'' Sweeney raised an eyebrow.
,, Well she is very happy when you are around.'' He confessed. ,, You helped her a lot with the nightmares.''
,, Well I want your mother to be happy too you know.'' He said. ,, Now we have like twenty minutes to get there before sunset. Now go and remember don't tell her about the surprise ok?'' He asked.
,, I promise I won't tell her.'' He smiled and ran downstairs.
But Sweeney's stress was back. What if she isn't ready to marry him and says no? What if she runs away with Toby and the baby?
,, Come on Sweeney! Pull yourself together.'' He tried to calm down.
He walked downstairs still stressing out, but when he saw Nellie his stress just disappeared.
,, Wow, Nell you look amazing.'' She blushed:
,, Thank you. You too.''
,, I guess the suit really does make things like an event.'' He thought.
When they arrived at the seaside there was a blanket, set up champagne, some fruit and an envelope.
,, Oh, Sweeney! This is so beautiful.'' She was touched.
They sat down in the warm sand and she looked at the envelope:,, What is that?''
He handed her the envelope and said:,, Open it.''
She took the envelope and opened it. Inside there was a letter? Or was it something else? She unfolded the paper and looked at him with a confused look.
,, I may not be as romantic as Benjamin Barker was, but I thought that it was easier to put this on paper.''
He got nervous when she started to read the poem:
''Remember the day we first met?
My love was the thing you tried to get.
I always used to call you my pet,
But all that changed when our eyes first met.
The sky is getting red as wine.
Now tell me one thing, forever will you be mine?''
She over read the poem and then she looked at him smiling from joy:
,, Sweeney are asking me to be your wife?'' She asked.
,, Only if you want to.'' He smiled as sweet as he could and Nellie hugged him and through the tears of joy said:
,, Oh Sweeney! I will marry you.'' She kissed him on the lips like she always dreamed of.
,, Nell, you have made me the most happiest man in the whole world.''
,, I never thought, that you would propose to me by the sea.'' She blushed. ,, By the sea...''
This phrase echoed in her mind and erased all the bad memories of Albert, the heartbreak, rejection. Everything. She was set free. Her face came alive her face wasn't as pale as it was. She looked so happy, free of bad memories and thoughts. And a new person was born. And her name was Nellie Todd.
To be continued… Sorry if it was too short I was in a little hurry. Stay tuned.