a/n: I'm so glad people like this!! I was taking a big risk in that I've never written a romance fic before, so I'm glad it's going over well! And my three original Sweenettes came through and reviewed for me. Glad to see all three of you Saloma-Kiwi, Whyistherumgone?, and CrosbyFan21.
Lucy lovers: This is a major Lucy hating chapter. Muahaha. I hate Lucy.
Please tell me someone understood why I chose the name's Charlotte, Emily, and Anne!! What famous sisters are they??
Disclaimer: o.O Sweeney's not mine people.
Chapter Five
Lindsey awoke with a knot in the pit of her stomach. It was already about ten o'clock. She'd slept in too late, too late for serving the breakfast customers (if there even were any, usually there weren't). But she only had five hours to make the place look presentable enough for Dahlia Brady. Hopefully Anne was able to talk her down from thinking so lowly of Lindsey. She was forced to spend the day cleaning. First she dusted the shop, put away all the dishes, and made sure everything in order, for they would surely be coming through the shop. Then the parlor. Boy was that a mess. Books were strewn everywhere. The wallpaper was a mess. The parts that were burned had to be covered, so Lindsey moved a bookcase or two in front of them. By the time she'd finished cleaning, bathed, dressed, had a bit of lunch, and made the tea and scones, Lindsey was exhausted and it was two-thirty. So what did she do? She fell asleep, head on the counter, in full view of the entire street.
It was two-forty-five when she felt someone shaking her shoulder. "Lindsey! Lindsey!" a voice kept repeating. She jumped awake. Sweeney grabbed her arms. "Calm down, it's only me."
Lindsey let out a sigh. "You've got to stop sneaking up on me like that! You're like a ghost! What time is it anyway?"
"Almost three."
"WHAT?" she shrieked. "It can't be, they'll be here any minute! I didn't get the scones out of the oven!"
Sweeney grabbed her arms again. "Lindsey! I got them for you! And heated the tea again. You just calm down. You've got enough on your mind with this wretched woman coming into our home."
"I guess you're right," she replied.
"I know I'm right," he said gently, tilting her head up to meet his lips. She positively melted into his embrace, tangling her fingers in his hair. She loved the rare moments like these, the moments that let her see the human side of Sweeney Todd, instead of the cold, emotionless persona she was so accustomed to. She found herself lost, head cleared of all thoughts, until he pulled away. "You have too much to do, are you aware of that?"
"Yeah, I noticed," Lindsey said. He stroked her cheek gently, and Lindsey wondered why he wasn't always like this. Why one day he'd be caring and sweet, and the next he'd be brooding and cold. She decided that she was definitely in love with this Sweeney Todd, but the other needed some work.
A knock at the door pulled them both from their reverie. At the door were four women, two silly little blondes waving excitedly, one brunette rolling her eyes at her younger sisters, and a tall, thin, severe looking woman with black hair. Lindsey turned back to Sweeney. "Here goes nothing. Remember, be civil."
Lindsey took a deep breath and opened the door. "Anne! Charlotte! Emily! How wonderful to see you again. And Mrs. Brady, it's been far too long," she said with a smile.
Dahlia gave a rather quick, very fake smile, then turned to Sweeney. "And this is?" she said in a rather sly voice.
"This," Lindsey said, trying not to let her annoyance show in her voice, "Is my husband, Sweeney Todd. Sweeney, this is Dahlia, Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brady."
Sweeney extended his hand towards Dahlia. "A pleasure, I'm sure." Lindsey bit back a laugh. Only her ears were trained to notice the sarcasm in his voice.
Anne quickly took Sweeney's hand as her mother had ignored it. Dahlia was merely looking him up and down as if appraising him. She probably was. Anne shot her sisters a look and they in turn shook Mr. Todd's hand. "It's very nice to meet you," Emily said.
"Oh yes!" Charlotte replied. "Incredibly nice."
"Shall we proceed to the parlor then?" Lindsey said, directing the twins out of the room before their bickering got out of hand. When the six arrived in the parlor, Dahlia Brady claimed the smaller of the two couches, pulling the twins on either side of her. She gave Anne a very cold look as if to say there was no room here. Anne, looking as if she was accustomed to this kind of treatment, sat in a chair opposite them. Sweeney sat on the sofa across from Dahlia and the twins. "Oh! Where's my head today? I'll go get the tea and scones."
"I'll go with you!" Anne said, rising quickly.
The two quickly returned to the kitchen, leaving Sweeney with three women he was bound to dislike. "This is going to be an interesting afternoon," Lindsey mused.
"I'll say," Anne replied. After a pause she said, "You're so lucky though. To have someone who loves you."
Lindsey looked at her strangely. "What are you talking about? Mr. T doesn't love me."
Anne laughed. "Don't be ridiculous. Why would you say that?"
"Because just last night I told him I loved him and he didn't really say anything."
"Well excuse me if I'm judging him, but he seems to be a bit proud. Used to shutting people out. Even if he doesn't say it, I can tell he does. Just by the way he looks at you. Especially just now, right after he kissed you."
Lindsey felt herself go red. "You saw that?"
Anne smiled. "Just me. I was walking a bit ahead. But don't worry if he doesn't say it. He'll come around."
Back in the parlor there was so much tension in the air not even one of Mr. Todd's razors could've cut it. Dahlia and Sweeney were staring each other down. The twins were shooting each other looks.
"So," Dahlia said, "How long have you known Lindsey?"
"A few months," he replied, never looking away from Dahlia's cold gaze.
"I see," she said.
"How long have you known the Lovetts?" Sweeney asked, trying to be (as Lindsey put it) civil, while praying she and Anne returned soon.
"Most of their lives. I knew Nellie rather well and I've known Lindsey since she was a baby. Although Nellie and I never really saw eye to eye. I still don't understand why she ever rented the room above her shop out to that family. Barker, I think their name was."
Sweeney was suddenly much more interested in what she had to say. "You knew them?"
"Oh yes. I suppose Benjamin was alright, but his wife! She was a ridiculous thing. Always floating about without a thought in her head. Expected everything to be done for her. That poor man. Why he ever married her. I always thought he was more suited to Nellie. But then he was dragged off to prison. I guess he had some secrets none of us knew about. And then the little nit went and killed herself. Wasn't strong enough to pick up and move on, even though she had a baby. So lucky the judge was willing to take the little thing in. I haven't seen the judge in quite some time though…I wonder where he's gone off to."
"No idea, I didn't know him very well," Mr. Todd said, trying to keep himself under control after what she'd said about Lucy. But what if she was right? After all, Lucy had just about given Johanna to the judge. He shook the thoughts from his head. Based on what she'd said about Lucy, it was clear that if Lindsey and Anne weren't back soon, all hell was going to break loose.
A/n: abrupt ending I know. But I wasn't sure what else to say yet. So I'll see you guys soon! And I am working on MVR, I just don't have enough ideas yet.