Chapter Ten: News
Another month had come and gone and they had managed to live it peacefully. Nellie didn't ask him to repeat what he had said and Sweeney refrained from mentioning his former wife. While he hadn't gone back to sharing her room again nightly, he did spend most of his week there, excluding just one or two nights he would spend in his parlor. He even made good on his attempt to help her in the bakehouse after work, dismembering the bodies while she cleaned her shop upstairs. When they did sleep together, he also kept his word about being more gentle. Especially as her stomach began to swell more with each passing week, forcing them to alter their positions for comfort's sake.
However, just when things looked as if they would remain smooth for at least another month or so, a coach driver in service to Judge Turpin came in for a shave.
"Good evening, sir," Sweeney said casually as he saw the man enter his shop. He had just sent off a young man with his family and he had been hoping that the next would come alone while the slow hour of business remained. However, it was rare that a servant of the Judge would end up on downstairs' menu. They were far too important for news.
The man took off his hat, hanging it on the hook with his cloak as he greeted the barber. "Afternoon, Mr. Todd." Sweeney nodded to his chair and the young man sat down, leaning back and bearing his neck to the barber.
"Any news of Turpin? Has he decided whether I'm worth a visit?" He asked as he placed the white sheet he used as a cape over the man's chest and shoulders. The servant smiled and shook his head.
"'Fraid not, Mr. Todd. The Judge 'as been very busy. He 'asn't forgotten about you, though." Sweeney nodded and began to mix the shaving cream in a bowl.
"That's very odd for him to be so busy 'round this time. Not exactly the season for pick pockets or larceny."
"He's not busy with court cases, sir. He's planning a big business trip before he comes back to plan 'is wedding. He'll be leavin' in about a month or so." Mr. Todd paused a moment. A trip could be exactly what he needed to bring his revenge to the final cut.
"Where is he going?" He turned back to his customer, lathering his face and neck with the cream.
"Edinburgh. He'll be gone for about a month, too. Seems there's a big case going on up there and they need his opinion on something or other."
"Edinburgh?" Sweeney didn't need more than a moment to make his decision as he began to shave the man's cheeks. "In a month's time? Well, you can tell him if he truly fancies a shave, I'll be in town as well. I've got a sister lives in the western village. I can cater to him before he comes home and I'm sure his lucky bride will be grateful."
"Sure thing, Mr. Todd. No one does business the way you do." The man spoke carefully as Sweeney glided his razor over the skin, making it as smooth as if hair never grew there in the first place.
No one does business like I do. He thought to himself as he finished and sent the boy off.
Now... now the difficulty in this was how he was going to tell the heavily pregnant woman whose contentment made his plan possible. He knew he couldn't leave without telling her... that would be too much. He had meant it when he had told her that he cared about her... and now, as much as he tried to deny it, he knew there was more than he was letting himself admit. If he did tell her, which he would have to, he knew that not only would she be upset that he could be gone for a month at the latest and in the last months of her pregnancy, but she would also be worried he would never come back. He couldn't blame her for that but it was going to be difficult to convince her that he would return for her.
Still... even after all this time his revenge was his top priority. It's not as if she would birth the baby before he came back, and if he didn't go he might not get the chance again until much later. Putting the thought aside, he finished his work, closed his shop early for the night and made his way through the house to the pie shop kitchen. He could see Nellie at the counter, scrubbing at a bit of dried pie filling, through the door and walked behind her quietly.
The pie shop was not closed yet and he was aware of the few late customers straggling through the door as he tapped her on the shoulder. "Meet me in the tonsorial parlor tonight, pet," he whispered softly into her ear before going back through the kitchen and up to his own shop.
Nellie smiled as she saw the customers coming in and frowned slightly as she felt the tap on her shoulder from behind. Sweeney was never out of work this early and Toby was wiping down tables right in front of her. When she heard his voice in her ear though she relaxed a bit though she was still confused.
"Wh-" she turned to look at him when he was finished and sighed as she saw that he had already left her. Rolling her eyes a bit, she returned her attention to her customers, serving them the last of her pies and chatting aimlessly. When they had finished and her shop was cleaned she closed it down for the night, brushed herself off, and made her way up to his shop. 'E probably wants me wash his shirts, it's been a few nights.
Hearing her steps on the stairs, he unlocked his door and sat in his barber's chair, waiting for her to walk in. Nellie opened the door softly and came in, smiling a bit as she closed the door. "Love."
Smirking, he motioned for her to come sit on his lap, patting his thigh softly. "Come here, my pet."
Nellie bit her lips and smiled more as she walked to him and sat on his lap, putting a hand on his chest softly. He called her up to be sweet... that, she didn't mind. Once he had her sitting on his lap, he began to bite at her earlobe softly, drawing her close against him.
"It's been a long day..." he growled softly in her ear, stroking her thigh with his thumb and hitching the skirt up a bit.
"Mmmh," Nellie bit her lip, smiling at the thought that he wanted her so much he couldn't wait until they were in her room. He moved his lips to her neck, kissing lightly and pulling her skirt up and her stockings down. She moaned encouragingly and closed her eyes. "Sweeney..." she sighed as he growled into her ear and she felt her stockings being stripped away, knocking her shoes off with her feet.
"Should we stay here or move to the bed, pet?"
Nellie smirked a bit and opened her eyes, kissing him softly. "No need to move... we're fine here..."
He kissed her again, smirking softly and nibbled lightly at her bottom lip before turning her in his lap so that her back faced him. He began to work at the laces of her dress and Nellie bit her lip in anticipation but the laces were knotted tightly and he gave up after a moment, turning her back to him. "Looks like we'll have to keep our clothing on for the most part, pet." Sweeney smirked and opened his pants just far enough for his erection to come out.
"You're unbelievable," Nellie smirked and lifted her skirts to her hips. Sweeney raised an eyebrow and slid her from his lap gently, smirking as he pulled her down to a kneeling position in front of him. Nellie raised an eyebrow but didn't object. As long as he wasn't pushing or being forceful, he could move her as he pleased.
"Open your mouth to me first, pet." Nellie bit her lip seductively looking up at him.
"Get inside, love," she whispered, opening her mouth and winking with a smirk.
He placed a hand on the back of her head and used his other hand to pull her forward so that her upper body hovered over his lap. Pushing on her head softly, he guided her lips to his cock and made her take him in deeply.
"Mmmh," Nellie moaned and moved her head slowly, moving her tongue over him in circles. He pushed slightly harder on the back of her head, forcing her to take him in completely and groaning darkly. Nellie's teeth brushed against him slightly and she kept him in as she stroked his balls softly with her fingers. He growled deeply at the sensation and Nellie felt a spark of pride as he said her name.
"Nellie," he growled, beginning to thrust into her mouth slowly. Nellie's smirk widened and she sucked harder, bobbing her head faster as she moaned. After about a minute of her ministrations he came into her mouth with a soft growl and let go of her hair so that she could pull back from him, smirking down at her. "And to think... you're to be a mother and acting this way." He couldn't help teasing her softly... it took the edge away from his guilt and the longer he was playful with her, the longer it would be before he had to tell her the truth.
Nellie swallowed and moved to kiss him. "Since when can't a mother have fun?"
Sweeney smirked and pulled her back onto his lap, taking her hand and placing it back on his cock, moving it slowly with his own. "I never said they couldn't."
Nellie began to stroke him on her own as his erection came back and kissed him again, sighing into the kiss as she felt him lifting her skirts back to her hips. Deepening their kiss, he moved a hand between her thighs and pushed the fabric of her bloomers to the side, stroking her clit and moving his fingers into her slowly as she stroked him.
Nellie moaned deeply and closed her eyes. "S-Sweeney..." Sweeney moved his fingers faster in response, his other hand covering the one on his shaft, forcing her hand to move faster and biting down on her lip harshly, drawing blood accidentally. Nellie squirmed as his fingers moved faster and moaned softly in pain as he bit her. "B-Be gentler." Her breath shook a bit but she kissed him again, hoping her lips could keep his teeth from her skin.
Taking his fingers out, he moved Nellie's so that her back faced him once more and brought her down on his shaft, moving her hand out of the way. Turning her head towards him as she began to moan again in pleasure, he sucked the blood from her lower lip and put his hands on her hips as he started to guide her into a rocking motion.
Groaning darkly, he whispered into her ear. "Little Nellie... small little Nellie Lovett..."
Nellie responded quickly to his hands on her hips and began to bounce against his thighs, moaning loudly. Moving his hand that had been inside of her, she lifted the fingers to her lips and sucked on them as she moaned. "Mmmm..."
Sweeney smirked, watching as she sucked on his fingers and arching his hips to enter her deeper. Moving his fingers from her mouth, he held her jaw and kissed her again deeply.
"Mmmm..." Nellie moaned again loudly and broke the kiss, arching her back.
Pulling her lips back to his own, he continued the kiss, starting to thrust as hard and fast as he could. Grabbing her arms, he held on to her tight enough to leave bruises where his fingers were, causing Nellie to frown as she kissed him. She didn't complain a second time despite the pain and continued to kiss him, moving her hips harder and faster as he thrusted. Sweeney groaned and climaxed inside of her once more, not loosening his grip as he pulled her against his chest tightly. He placed a gentle kiss on the curls above her ear and sighed in momentary contentment. "My little Nellie..."
Nellie moaned loudly even though she didn't come and turned to snuggle in his arms automatically, feeling her heart beat flutter as he called her his. As she snuggled against his chest, he held onto her harder, coming down from the high and remembering that in just a few moments she would likely be crying and angry. "My pet... My Nellie..."
Nellie closed her eyes, nuzzling her face against his neck softly, feeling warm and appreciated even if he was being a little rough. Sighing, he began to rub her back soothingly.
"You're a bloody wonder, Nellie Lovett. A bloody wonder."
Nellie smiled and pulled off a bit to look into his eyes, kissing his nose softly. He raised a hand to cup her cheek and brushed a stray curl away from her face before rubbing her cheek softly with his thumb.
"What is it, pet? You look thoughtful."
Nellie shook her head softly, smiling. "I'm just happy..." she whispered, studying his face while she had the chance to do so openly.
"Nellie..." He sighed and pulled her back against his chest. "Nellie Lovett..." He could feel himself avoiding what he had to say, holding her tightly in his arms and growling softly into her ear. Nellie bit her lip as he called her by her full name once more and pulled off again to look at him.
"Sweeney?"
"What is it, pet?" His voice was soft and he trailed a hand down her back slowly as he met her gaze. Nellie looked down, knowing what she was about to ask could risk their good mood.
"I-I know we're not officially married but... I'm known as Mrs. Todd now... and I wish... I wish you would consider calling me Nellie Todd instead of Lovett." As she finished she looked up to catch his reaction, hoping he would still be relaxed and loving.
However she swallowed as his eyes began to cloud over and he pushed her from his lap. Not hard enough to make her fall on the ground but enough to cause her to stumble a bit as she caught her balance. Standing, he fixed his pants and without a word walked over to the sink, leaning his palms against the counter. She ruined it. He could have waited... he didn't have to tell her tonight. Mrs. Todd... God, he managed to fuck up that badly and in less than six months after he came back.
Nellie swallowed watching him carefully. He had pushed away before but it didn't always mean he wouldn't come back... "I'm... I'm sorry, Love... I didn't think you would react like that..."
Ignoring her, he growled darkly at his own stupidity and took a few moments before turning back to face her. "Sit in the chair, Mrs. Lovett."
Nellie hesitated and picked up her stockings, feeling suddenly cold, and put them on before sitting in the chair as he told her to. Walking back to her, he stood before her and glared down at her, causing her to swallow and fidget nervously.
"In one month's time I will be leaving. You won't like it but I must go."
Nellie frowned deeply and looked up at him. "What?" She thought... He said he cared about her... Where was he going? Did she really upset him that much?
Sighing, he took her hand softly and pulled her up to face him, drawing her against his chest more as a measure to prevent her from leaving than one of comfort.
"Pet... I simply have no other options. I will return before the birth."
Nellie pulled away from him roughly, breathing quickly as she felt the panic, the hurt, and the realization that why he had called her up here had nothing to do with how much he cared about her. "No!" Her eyes widened as her heart beat faster and she shook her head. "You can't leave now!"
Grabbing her roughly, he forced her back against him, holding onto her as tightly as he could while still allowing her breathe well enough in her panicked state."Listen you insufferable woman, I have to go. There is no way around it. Judge Turpin intends to leave on business for a month starting on the first of next month. That gives me one month to prepare. I will come back after that month but you cannot be so infuriatingly foolish about it."
Nellie pulled away again as he loosened his grip, unable to calm herself down. "Foolish?! You're the one that's bloody foolish thinking I'm just going to wait another fucking month for you to come back! I won't, okay, I won't!" Her voice broke and she began to cry openly, angry, hurt, and betrayed again. "If you leave, don't you dare come back here and expect me to melt in your arms! I'm tired of this! I'm not your fucking toy!" Shaking, she went for the door, biting her lip as he lunged and grabbed her wrist tightly.
Keeping his grip on her wrist iron tight he forced her down the stairs despite her pulling and into her bedroom, locking the door behind them and guarding it. "Listen to me. This must be done whether you concede to it or not, pet. I have a month here with you before I leave. I will be gone for only one month and if I'm gone a day longer then you can burn the tonsorial parlor down for all I fucking care. You of all people should be relieved that this could very well be ending after all the work you've done. I will be back in time for the child's final months and without Turpin occupying my mind I can -" He stopped his rant, not wanting to go further and sighed heavily, leaning against the closed door and rubbing his temples.
Nellie bit her inner cheek and listened as he spoke, keeping his gaze. "You don't understand do you?" Her voice was soft but she could still feel the anger and frustration in her veins. "You don't support me at all, you don't even want this child, I'm not even fucking sure you'll take care of it when it's gonna come out! You're never there!
Ah, but wait! You're always around though when you want sex because you know I'm fucking good and probably better than your bloody Lucy even though you won't admit it! You're always here to fuck me but you're never here to love me! You're a fucking selfish bastard! You take everything and you give nothing back!"
Nellie could feel the tears returning, pushing against the corners of her eyes like pin pricks but she held her ground. "I'm so tired of you! It's enough! I'm done!"
"Nellie," he growled as he felt a headache coming on and glared at her, "you're only proving just how foolish you are. I've done nothing? I did plenty that you don't even understand. There are reasons for those scars, reasons I hold onto you so tightly. Don't you dare claim that I'm only here to fuck you and you know very well I would never compare you to Lucy."
"Then why for fuck's sake!" Nellie felt the tears slip out of her eyes but ignored them, standing strong. "Why?! I have the right to know, you're playing my my heart, you're using my body to satisfy your selfish needs! You don't even love me!"
"Don't claim to know my every motivation, Nellie. If I didn't..." He stopped, unable to continue and looked away from her. This was why he didn't want to tell her. He couldn't do this. It was hard enough to ignore the way he felt and fight down any semblance of emotion she was giving to him when he started this, it was impossible now. He couldn't do this. He couldn't be hers. He was a fucking idiot to even get involved with anyone. He should have tried to do it alone. Anything but this. He couldn't take the pressure of fighting, himself or her, and he couldn't stand the feeling that while the Judge still lived he was betraying Lucy. He just couldn't. It's too much.
Nellie's breath quickened from the stress and she could feel the baby becoming restless from the argument. Churning her stomach and adding to the frustration she felt. "I don't want to see you right now. Just leave me alone."
He moved away from the door and she moved past him quickly despite the fact that he was in her bedroom. He let her go without a fight and sat down on the bed, burying his face in his hands. "Bloody difficult piece of work..."
Nellie, realizing she had left her own room, sighed in frustration and went back to his parlor, slamming the door and locking it before sliding down against it, starting to cry heavily. Why did she have to love him? It had already hurt so much when he was Benjamin and he was sweet, and sane, and kind, and so close but she couldn't have him. Then he was gone for fifteen years and all she could do was think about him whenever she was lonely or sad and it hurt. But nothing hurt like this. To have him back and broken but he was close again... and he was letting her touch him... but he still didn't belong to her. She was having his baby, she could feel it's little body moving and living, and he still wasn't hers.
After she had cried for a while, she forced herself to get up, locked the shop door, and before laying on his bed, surrounded by his scent, she turned the frame of the pictures of the woman and child keeping him from loving her on it's face. She didn't want to look at them. She didn't want to feel guilty and she didn't want to think about him. She didn't even want to feel the baby pressing against her abdomen. She just wanted to sleep. So she took a deep breath, swallowed her anger, fear, and longing, and slept.