Chapter Twelve: A Good Day
Mr. Todd groaned slightly as he forced himself out of bed an hour earlier than he normally did. Mrs. Lovett had her arms wrapped around him so tightly that he had to be careful when he disentangled himself from her so that she wouldn't wake up. He dressed in the clothes he had left on her floor and made his way downstairs, stepping over a sleeping Toby cradling a bottle of gin in the parlor. He had decided before he fell asleep last night that he was going to try to keep her on the nicer side of their relationship until he left and he figured a good way to start would be by making breakfast for the house. If he fed her boy it might help her see that he is trying.
In the kitchen he looked around a bit to see what was available. He hadn't really spent time in this room. Mostly she brought him his meals and if they were fighting or she was too exhausted to make dinner he would only take a piece of bread. After starting a fire in the stove he gathered four eggs, some strips of bacon, and three pieces of bread. He cooked the bacon first and toasted the bread on the pan before making the eggs. When he finished he put two eggs, a third of the bacon, and a piece of toast on a plate and set it on the table for Toby. Putting the rest on two separate plates he doused the fire in the stove, ate his portion of the food, and nudged Toby awake with his boot.
Ignoring the look of resentment on his face, he informed him that breakfast was in the kitchen and carried the remaining plate to the bedroom on a tray with a mug of ale. She was still sleeping when he came in, having turned onto her stomach. Her arms were wrapped around the pillow and her mouth was partly open. He set the tray carefully on her vanity table and walked to the bed.
"Wake up, pet." He spoke gently and shook her shoulder. Nellie moaned in her sleep and opened her eyes slowly as she came to her senses.
"Mmh?" She yawned a bit but gave him a small smile. He was normally gone when she woke up.
"Come on, sit up." Mr. Todd walked away from her and she sighed assuming he was going to work. Instead he took the tray from the vanity table and brought it back to the bed as she sat herself upright. He sat next to her on the bed and put the tray on her lap softly. "Good morning, pet."
Nellie bit her lip and held the tray steady on her lap. He never cooked for her... the last time he had, it didn't end well... Still, he didn't seem like he was doing this for a sexual favor from her... "Awe, love..." Nellie let herself give him a small pout and smiled as she looked back at the plates. "Morning..."
He placed a gentle kiss to the side of her head and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. "Go on... eat."
Nellie looked down, smiling softly, and picked up her fork. "Thank you..." She separated a piece of her egg and took a small bite. He had cooked the pasta he had made her last time very well for a man who hadn't cooked regularly for the last decade and a half but that didn't mean everything he cooked would be good. It was a little cold but otherwise no worse than she could have done.
He watched as she ate her breakfast and stroked her hair softly. When she had finished half the egg, most of the bacon, and the toast, she looked back at him, still smiling. Mr. Todd took the tray away from her gently and carried it back to the vanity, setting it down before coming back to the bed and placing a soft kiss to her lips.
Nellie kissed back and felt her heart, although certainly melted from how well he was treating her, put up a guard for that same reason. "You're being so kind to me..."
"And?" He put an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
Nellie bit her lip, looking down. "Ive never been this scared and still so happy..." She smiled a bit more hoping he wouldn't be offended if he really was just being kind and kissed him again.
"Scared? Why scared?" As he spoke he moved his lips to her neck and kissed lightly.
There it was, she thought. The sexual favor he did this for. "I just feel vulnerable all the time, that's all." She sighed as he continued to kiss her neck.
Moving from her neck he tilted her head to look at him and gave her another kiss. "Don't feel as though I'm going to hurt you, pet... I already told you I would never have to again."
Nellie gave a small nod although she didn't really believe it. "Promise?" She couldn't help frowning a bit as she looked into his eyes. They weren't the way they normally were when he tried to manipulate her... They were... softer... but still serious. She wasn't sure what it meant... but at least they weren't cruel.
"I already have, love," he said softly and pulled her against him. He thought he was helping... but she still frowned when she looked at him. There had to be a way to settle her until he left...
He did promise her before... Sighing, Nellie smiled a bit and snuggled against his chest.
"Now," he kissed her hair and ran a hand down her back slowly, "do you really want to go to work today, pet?" He pulled her closer and she could feel the rise and fall of her chest against her cheek and the vibration of his heartbeat under his skin. It was calming in a sense... feeling his breath before it left his body and hearing his heart giving her a gentle reminder that he was real... he was a living, breathing, beautiful being. She sighed and shook her head.
"Then stay with me..." She felt his hand trace her side and couldn't help smiling just a little as she looked up at him.
"Okay..." Her voice was a whisper and she studied his face softly as the morning light covered it. It was a rare sight for her... a rare opportunity to be able to really look at him in a moment like this. He had aged really well for a man his age... He would be forty soon. There were a few creases on his skin but otherwise it was smooth and pale... just a little lighter than when he was younger. She wondered if he had been darker when he lived in Australia. It must have taken him at least a month to get back to London from there. Plenty of time to lose whatever color the sun gave him.
"There we are, then," he smirked softly as he met her gaze and let his eyes drift down over her. "Why don't we... get rid of this..." As he spoke he began to pull at the laces of her nightgown.
Nellie felt herself smirk a bit. A sexual favor wouldn't be too bad... he did make her breakfast and he was being kind... "Mmh... why?"
"You're much more... beautiful without it."
Nellie's smirk widened and she moved his hands away from her gown, pulling on her sleeves slowly. He kissed her as she did and began to help her pull the gown away, taking her breast into his hand once the clothing pooled around her hips and kneading it softly.
Nellie moaned a bit against his lips and took the gown off completely as he began to kiss down her neck and chest. He pushed her onto her back softly and she expected him to kiss her lips again. Instead he continued to trail his kisses over her body, kissing along her side rather than over her stomach, as he moved in front of her and spread her legs so that he could be between them. He gave her a smirk, lowering his head between her thighs before taking her clit into his mouth and sucking softly.
Nellie moaned and arched her back. God, he was being good to her... "Oh, Sweeney..." She closed her eyes and bit her lip.
He moved his tongue to her entrance and began to suck and lick as his thumb ran circles around her clit causing Nellie to gasp and arch her back further. His tongue entered her deeper as she did.
"A-aaah... S-Sweeney!"
He worked on her quickly, moving his tongue from her entrance to her clit and back again. It didn't take long for her to climax underneath him, moaning loudly, and he licked her clean. Before she could move he began to arouse her again, running his thumb over her clit and sticking two fingers into her, pumping them slowly as he leaned forward and kissed her lips.
"Ah... God..." She kissed him back and could taste herself on him, his lips still wet from pleasuring her. She was breathing quickly from the attention but she wouldn't complain. "Sweeney..." She moaned, sucking on his lip, and he added a third finger into her warmth. Her eyes widened and she let out her loudest moan of the morning and broke away from his lips as her head dipped back. He smirked and moved his fingers quickly and as deep as he could, using his other hand to keep stroking her clit and tease her breasts.
Nellie came a second time and he felt her tighten around his fingers. He waited for her to calm a bit before pulling his fingers out of her slowly, earning a soft moan, and holding them up to the light to examine them. They were nearly dripping wet and he felt a bit of pride as he looked from his fingers to her relaxed and pleased face.
"You really are a bloody wonder, Nell..."
She met his gaze, her breathing still quick and a bit unsteady. He smirked as he watched her, his pride growing a bit.
She closed her eyes, still trying to control her breath. "God, Sweeney... you kill me every time."
"All for you, pet." He took her discarded night dress and cleaned his fingers with it before dropping it to the floor and smirking back at her. "Tell me. Am I better than Albert?"
Nellie raised an eyebrow, keeping her eyes closed as her breath steadied, and smirked a bit. "I'm not answering that."
"Oh, I see." He raised his own eyebrow, taking a moment to glance over her body while her eyes were still closed. "Well then, I'm sure a man with a girth like his must have been quite an attractive sight for you. Much better than me, I'm far too skinny."
Nellie's smirk widened and she opened her eyes to look at him. "You're way better than him, love..." She grabbed his sleeves and pulled him down next to her. "In every way." Mrs. Lovett kissed him softly, silently enjoying the feeling of her breasts pressed against his chest.
He returned the kiss, supporting his weight over her with his elbows on either side of her torso and being careful to stay to the side of her stomach. Breaking the kiss lightly, he moved a strand of the endless stray hairs from her face. "Are you sure you don't miss all that extra weight keeping you warm at night?"
Nellie rolled her eyes. "You're unbelievable. You keep me warm enough..."
"Are you sure? I could always gain some weight for you if that's what you prefer."
"No! Don't." She raised an eyebrow, giving him a feigned stern look. "Don't you dare."
"Are you sure?" He smirked and kissed her chin softly. "You don't miss that in the tiniest bit?"
"Oh, yes I'm sure." She kissed him again softly, her eyebrow still raised. Even if he was teasing he was asking a lot of questions about a man she didn't care to remember.
He sighed and she felt a bit of relief as he deepened the kiss, his hand resting on the side of her hair and tangling into her curls. She let out a soft moan of encouragement and began to take off his pants. "Now, love..." She kissed him again, using her feet to help her pull his pants all the way down. "I think it's your turn, hmm?" As she spoke she took his member into her hands and began to stroke him softly, earning a growl. "You've been so good to me..." Another kiss and she sucked on his lip softly for a moment. "You deserve it."
Her hands were a bit cold but they felt so good. "You... you don't have to." He was serious about this... no more manipulating her into sucking or touching or fucking him for the next month. He had to be selfless for just a little while.
"I want to..." Her voice was a whisper and her hands moved over him slowly. If she wanted to...
Without a word he kissed her, gentle and tender. Hoping that later she wouldn't think that this was what he had been wanting since he brought her breakfast. Nellie smiled softly into the kiss, continuing to stroke him as he groaned against her lips.
"Nellie..."
Nellie's smile turned into a smirk as he called her name. "Let me get on top of you..." she whispered into his ear, biting it softly.
"Why don't you make me?" He whispered back, smirking and growling lowly as she continued to move her hand along his shaft.
Nellie pulled away from him and pushed him onto his back before straddling his waist. She was still wet from when he'd pleasured her and he could feel it and her warmth through his shirt. She adjusted herself on her knees so that she could kiss down over his chest without her stomach getting in the way and made her trail along his shoulders and collarbone. Inching herself back a bit, she took his shaft in her hand again and guided the tip into her slowly as he growled.
"Nell..." God, she felt so good, so wet and warm from his efforts.
Nellie moaned as she moved her hand and let herself come down on him completely, beginning to rock her hips slowly. She felt him place his hands on her waist and smirked, lifting herself a little with each movement, her hands resting on his chest. Nellie's back arched as she felt her clit rubbing against his shaft, moaning loudly and moving her hips harder.
He began to meet her rocking with thrusts, entering her deep and hard. Growling deeply he held onto her hips tightly and she stopped her own movements as he thrusted faster. It didn't take long for her to come again and she moaned louder than he thought she could. Nellie was surprised herself but she had been so turned on when they began that the actual sex was amazing, causing her to come hard on top of him.
When he felt her tighten around him released inside of her and quickly pulled her down next to him, wrapping his arms around her tightly and pulling her as close to him as he could.
Nellie let out a small moan when she felt him slide out of her and automatically snuggled against his chest when she was pulled down beside him, her breathing frantic again. It must be the pregnancy, she thought to herself. That's got to be why the sex is getting this good.
"It's only ten in the morning, pet," he whispered into her ear, glancing at the clock on the wall. She closed her eyes against his chest as she recovered and he smirked a bit, looking at her. "Try not to fall asleep... even though you must be exhausted."
"It's your fault." She smirked against his chest, opening her eyes.
"Is it?"
"Mmmh," she looked back up at him, biting her lip. She loved when he was like this. So playful and sweet. She wondered, even though she didn't want to think about it, whether he had been like this with Lucy. She was always so proper... it was an odd thought to think about a man like Benjamin throwing a woman like Lucy against a bed, frantically taking her clothes off, and fucking her hard enough to make her actually lose her breath and feel as though she had just run the best mile in her life. It was even harder to imagine that they talked or teased about it. Even if they did have a baby to show that they were doing something.
"Are you still sure you don't want me to gain some weight and start walking with a limp? I could do that, you know." He smirked and stroked her hair softly.
"Shut up," she rolled her eyes, smirking back at him. "He was still my husband, you know..."
"I thought you said you didn't love him?"
"I didn't love him... at all. But... it's just not fair." Nellie looked down and bit her lip. Albert was never an easy subject for her. He had... moments where she thought she might be happy with him, but that whole marriage could happily be eradicated from history in her opinion.
"Alright then... I won't bring him up." He began to rub circles on her back, holding her closer and hoping he hadn't fucked up already. She smiled softly and snuggled again and he felt relieved.
"Have you... thought of everything we need?" He looked at her stomach and swallowed a bit as a he saw a hand move against the side of her stomach for a moment. Nellie barely noticed the movement, she had gotten so used to the baby inside of her that small movements like that sometimes went completely unnoticed despite how much she generally enjoyed them.
She looked up at him. "For the baby?" Now he was being too sweet... Still...
"Yes," he met her gaze and tried to keep his eyes soft even though he could feel tension starting to build in his chest as he thought about the baby she was carrying.
Nellie nodded a bit, noticing something a little forced in his gaze. "Yeah... I wrote a list down on a piece of paper..."
"May I see it?"
Nellie shirked the negative feeling and smiled, glad that at least he was trying to be interested. "Sure." Pulling away from him, she got up from the bed and took her nightgown a bit awkwardly from the floor. After she dressed herself she walked to her vanity table and opened a drawer, rifling through its contents until she found her list. She came back to the bed, list in hand and sat next to him as he sat up. "Here."
He took the list from her, glancing over it quickly. Cradle, clothing... He wasn't surprised that Nellie would rather purchase the clothing factory made than make it herself. She was good at mending clothing from what he had seen but it didn't seem like she had the time or the energy to make her own dresses or underclothes. When he finished the list he handed it back.
"You're missing something." As he spoke he thought about when he and Lucy had prepared for Johanna. They didn't need to buy a lot. The cradle that his youngest sister had slept in had been given to them when they married and Lucy was skilled with sewing and they saved money by making Johanna's first clothing out of spare fabric. The only thing they had really bought for her, well that he had gotten for her despite the cost, was a silver rattle that had been on sale in town. It stopped Johanna from crying out of boredom and gave Lucy the freedom to do the work she had been doing when money had been low; mending clothing for neighbors and making clothing for their children.
"What?" Nellie raised an eyebrow and reviewed her list. She had thought very carefully about everything she needed. She tried to stay only with what was essential, still unsure about whether or not she would have support from him by the time that the baby came and they were by no means rich, just better off.
"It's going to need a rattle or a doll of some sort to keep it occupied." As he spoke he stood up and began to dress again.
"Oh..." She hadn't even thought about that. The truth was, Nellie had been a youngest child and while her aunt had taken her to the sea a few summers with her sister, they never saw many other children and she never had children of her own. She had never even held a baby or been within five feet of one since Johanna had lived above her. Lucy had offered to let the baker hold the baby when she caught Nellie smiling at her or looking at her the way she did when she wanted her own baby, but she always said no. She didn't want anything to do with Lucy and while she didn't have anything against Johanna, in fact it was often a fantasy that something might happen with Lucy and Albert and Benjamin would ask her to marry him and help raise the baby, she didn't want to hold her. Now she regretted it. The practice might have been good.
"Yeah... we could go to the market..." She bit her lip and watched him, hoping that he would be willing to go out. He didn't like to visit town very much... there were too many people and the noise made him upset.
"Now?" He pulled his shirt over his head and looked back at her. "I thought you were tired?"
"I'm not anymore," she smiled and stood up from the bed, walking to him and giving him a pout. "Please?"
He sighed and nodded after a moment of hesitation. It was a weekday but they were in London and the market would be crowded regardless. "Go dress yourself." He gestured to the wardrobe and sat back on the bed to put on his boots.
"Thank you," she bit her lip smiling and walked to the wardrobe, taking out a dress. She slipped out of her nightgown and took a pair of bloomers out of her dresser and a set of stockings. Putting them on with just a bit of difficulty she pulled the dress over her head and fumbled for the laces. Sweeney noticed and walked behind her, taking the laces in his hands and tying the dress for her.
"Where in particular did you want to go?" When he finished tying her dress, he wrapped his arms around her above her stomach and kissed her shoulder gently.
Nellie smiled softly as she felt his lips on her shoulder. "I don't really know... we'll see when we get there." She turned and kissed him softly.
He kissed back and pulled away from her before gesturing for her to go. Nellie sighed and walked out of the bedroom and out into the street, Sweeney following close behind her and doing his best to ignore the crowded London street.
"Are you sure you want to be going out?" Mr. Todd asked in a last ditch effort to avoid the even more crowded market.
"Yes." She took his arm and began to walk towards the market. He sighed and followed, trying not to let go of his calm demeanor.
"Women..." He muttered to himself.
Nellie didn't hear him and looked around the market once they were there until she found a furniture shop selling cradles. "There." She dragged him with her to the store.
"What store is this?" As they walked in he saw furniture scattered on one side of the store and various other objects from children's toys to building toys scattered around the other.
"We should find something here." She ignored his question and walked to the furniture side of the store, purse in hand to look at the cradles. He pulled his arm away from her, suddenly uncomfortable surrounded by so many toys and cradles and began to feel a bit claustrophobic as the memory of Johanna came into his mind.
"I'm going to wait outside," he said quickly, stepping away from her.
"Okay..." Nellie frowned as he left the store and bit her lip, looking back at the cradles.
While he waited outside he noticed that one of his razors was in his pocket and he took it out to keep his hands busy while he waited. Nellie was taking her time, looking at each cradle carefully and going through the toys for something that might work for a newborn baby.
He grew bored as he waited for her and noticed a stand selling apples. Walking over he bought himself an apple and sliced a bit of it off with his razor, eating it. As he started on his apple, Nellie finished her shopping and walked out of the shop, looking around for him. She had bought a rattle and a few pieces of clothing she had found as well as a crib that could be picked up next week.
"Love?"
He began wandering back towards the shop and when he noticed that she had come out, he snuck up behind her and pressed a slice of the apple against her mouth. Nellie jumped a bit but as soon as she knew it was him she raised an eyebrow and took the apple into her mouth, eating it. "Thank you, love."
"You were taking a long time, I got bored." He explained as he sliced another piece off his apple and ate it.
"Mmh," she smirked a bit watching him and took his arm again, starting to walk home. "Well, I've found a lot of things," she sighed happily and stroked his arm with her thumb.
He held his apple and his razor in one hand and looked through her bag as they walked. "Is this all you wanted at the market? Can we go home, now?" He let go of her bag and finished his apple, putting his razor back into his pocket.
Nellie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Yes. We can go home, love."
She kissed his cheek and he stiffened as he felt her lips on his skin in public. He took her hand and walked faster, wanting to be home as he felt his chest tightening. Nellie frowned feeling his reluctance to be with her in public much longer and followed him as quickly as she could.
Once they were home he visibly relaxed and sat down at one of the tables in her shop, running a hand over his face.
"Why didn't you want me to kiss you?" She swallowed and frowned as she watched him, setting the bag on the counter. He sighed and looked up at her.
"Come here, pet," he beckoned her towards him and leaned back in the chair a bit so she would have room to sit on his lap. Nellie sighed and walked to him, pouting.
He pulled her down onto his lap once she was close enough and kissed her cheek. "You know I care for you, pet... but what we choose to do is not a display for the public." He hoped she would take the simple explanation.
"What d'you even mean?" She frowned looking into his eyes. She didn't try to fuck him, she just kissed him.
He sighed and tucked a curl behind her ear. "I mean, pet.. that I don't think we should be publicly displaying... affections."
Nellie bit her inner cheek and looked down. "Why? You're ashamed? Because of me?"
He sighed again and kissed her shoulder lightly. "No, pet... not of you..."
Nellie rolled her eyes. "That's ridiculous. I won't stop lov- I won't stop kissing you in public."
"I don't like it..." He kissed her neck, stroking her thigh. "If we're going to be intimate... I want it to be just you..." It was only partly a lie. He meant what he said but he didn't want to explain why.
Nellie frowned sadly and got up from his lap. "Whatever. I'm going to make dinner." She faked a smile, looking down.
He stood up as well and took her hand. "Allow me, pet." He turned her back to the table and made her sit. She didn't fight him.
He went to the kitchen and began to make pasta for her as he had done before, remembering that she had liked it.
Nellie smiled a bit despite herself and sighed, watching him lovingly from her seat at the table. "You don't have to, love."
"Don't be silly, I know I don't have to." He raised his voice so that she could hear him and focused on his cooking.
Nellie smirked a bit and got up, walking to him and kissing his cheek. He smirked back at her, glad that he had changed the subject and her mood, and stirred the pasta. "Nellie... now isn't the time to start something," he warned as she began to undo his pants.
"I want to..."
He placed a hand over the one working on his pants and sighed. "Nellie... soon."
Nellie smirked and bit her lip, squeezing him softly through his pants, earning a growl. "You're so hard, love..." She whispered into his ear seductively.
He swallowed and took her hand in his, turning to face her. "Nellie... After, I promise."
Nellie pouted and pulled her hand away. "You're no fun."
Sighing, he put out the fire and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her. "If this is what you want... we'll do it."
Nellie raised an eyebrow, a bit offended. "You don't want to?"
He growled softly into her ear, placing a kiss above it. "I believe just a few moments ago... you were grabbing me in a rather... personal manner, that causes certain... affects."
Nellie giggled a bit and finished undoing his pants enough for his erection to come out. "Well, then... I might as well finish what I started." She smirked and kissed his neck, pushing his pants to the floor.
"Lock the doors," he muttered as she kissed his neck.
Nellie bit her lip and nodded, walking to each door and locking it. As she locked the door, he took off his shoes and stepped out of his pants. When he removed his shirt, he placed it on the counter and beckoned her back towards him.
Nellie smirked and came back to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's your fault again." She kissed him, making sure her thigh pressed against his erection.
"How is everything my fault lately?" He put his hands on her waist and raised an eyebrow. "If memory serves, you instigated this encounter."
"Well, you're the one being so sweet suddenly..." Nellie kissed him again and slid her hands onto his ass.
"Do I make you... lose control?" He smirked and began to untie the laces of her dress.
"Oh, yes..." Nellie kissed at his neck and over his chest, trailing kisses as she kneeled in front of him slowly.
He raised an eyebrow not expecting her to use her mouth and especially not in her condition. "You don't have to do this because I've been treating you well, pet."
Nellie bit her lip looking up at him. "I want to."
He placed a hand on the back of her head, stroking her hair as he looked down at her. "Then do it, pet."
Nellie smiled a bit and took him in her hands, stroking him. "Am I good, love?"
He growled as he felt her small hands working him. "Is it not obvious to you?"
Nellie smirked and stroked him harder. "I want you to say it."
"Nellie..." He growled deeper, holding onto her hair. "You're very... talented."
Nellie giggled and kissed the tip of his cock. When he felt her lips touch him his hips moved slightly on instinct.
"You really are a tease aren't you?"
"Mmh..." She licked his member up and down, looking in his eyes. "Maybe..." Nellie smirked and took him in completely, earning a groan. She moaned against his cock as she felt him push at the back of her head. She began to move her head hard and fast, caressing his balls with her hands.
He felt himself getting close and pushed against her head again. "Nellie..."
Nellie smirked and went faster as he called her name. She swallowed when he came and pulled off of him slowly, licking her lips. "Mmh..."
Smirking down at her, he pulled her to her feet and took her into his arms again. "You know... you don't owe me favors, pet."
Nellie bit her lip and put her head on his chest. "Well, I feel like I do."
"You don't..." He whispered and ran his hand down her back.
Nellie frowned a bit and nuzzled his chest. She couldn't help but feel like she did owe him for how kind and gentle he was being today. Even if in a month he left and never came back, if this is how he was going to treat her... she couldn't be cruel to him. Still... maybe... maybe he would let her follow him.
"You know I will always follow you... no matter what you do. I want you to know that."
"I know that, pet... I've known a long time. Since before I even left."
Nellie looked up, frowning sadly. "Before you went away?"
"You were never very good at hiding your emotions, pet..." He sighed remembering the doe-eyed baker that used to watch him and blushed when he caught her. "Part of the reason that Lucy had considered moving us at one point was because she could tell that you... loved me." As he spoke he stroked her hair softly.
"Well, I'm not even sorry for that."
"I didn't say you had to be." He pulled away from her and put his shirt back on.
Nellie looked down, knowing what she was about to ask could ruin the entire day, but she had to know... "Was Lucy better than me in bed?"
He put his pants on and turned to face her, taken in her shy but determined expression. Even though a spark of anger ignited in his chest he knew he couldn't afford to make her angry. "Why is it of a concern to you, pet?"
"You asked me about Albert..." She pointed out, swallowing and keeping her gaze low.
"Yes, but you never loved him." He walked back to the stove and rekindled the fire.
"So what. You still asked."
Sighing, he finished cooking the pasta before turning back to her. She had distanced herself from him a bit during the silence and he held out his arms for her to come into. "Nellie..."
Mrs. Lovett refused to move. "At least I hope I'm better than her in bed if I can't be a better wife."
Biting back his anger he beckoned her to him again. "Come here now."
"No." Nellie raised an eyebrow and met his eyes. They were colder than they had been all day but she held her ground. He felt his anger rising but kept cool as he walked towards her, stopping a foot away.
"Are you trying to complicate things, pet? We were doing so well today." He tried the best he could to keep his tone from getting bitter but a cold edge still clung to it. "I made you breakfast, pleasured you, took you to the market, and now I've made you dinner."
"You didn't answer me, though." She bit her inner cheek, warding off the guilt she began to feel as he mentioned all the kind things he had done for her today. It still didn't change that she deserved an answer after all the horrible days he had given her.
"I don't have an answer for you, Nellie." He turned away from her and took out two plates.
Nellie bit her cheek harder. "Well then. I'm not hungry." She turned and began to walk away as he sighed in annoyance. Walking after her he wrapped his arms around her chest from behind.
"Nellie... Please don't do this."
She sighed a bit shakily at his tight grip, worrying that she had angered him a bit too much.
"Don't be afraid... I promised I wouldn't hurt you again."
Nellie sighed and pulled away from him. "Alright, let's eat." She walked back to the table and sat down.
He set the table and served their food before sitting opposite her, avoiding her eyes. "If I upset you talking about Albert, then I apologize."
Nellie rolled her eyes looking at the food on her plate. "I don't bloody care about Albert."
"Then why are you so persistent about Lucy? You told me yourself it was because I asked about Albert." He picked at his food with his fork, staring at her coldly.
"No. It's just that you can't answer my bloody questions."
"There are questions that you should never ask, you should know that very well, pet." He began to eat, trying to end the day a bit faster.
"Yeah well, 'cause you're afraid of the answers."
He let out a small growl as he felt a headache coming on. "Must you always complicate things when they're going so well? We had a nice day, don't ruin it. You know very well that you're asking too much of me."
"You're the one ruining it," she muttered, beginning to eat.
"Fine," he glared at her a bit and set down his fork. "You want an answer, I'll give you one but I don't want another word from you about Lucy for the rest of the month. Am I understood?"
Nellie bit her lip and looked up, setting her own fork down. "Okay..."
"I loved Lucy. With all of my heart. It never mattered to me how good she was in bed or whether or not she was as pretentious as you tend to be. You are two very different women and it's time you stopped comparing yourself to her. It does you no good." When he finished speaking he resumed eating, looking away from her.
Nellie bit her tongue and held back from arguing to get a real answer. "I'm not pretentious."
"Yes you are." He smirked a bit looking back at her, glad that he seemed to have given her an answer that was good enough for the conversation to drop.
"If you really think I'm pretentious, you clearly don't understand me." Nellie picked up her fork and began to eat again, ignoring his smirk.
"Pretentious in bed." He sighed and set his fork down again. "You asked me about the differences between you and Lucy in bed. You are extremely pretentious in bed."
"Well sorry, I just want to be enough... and maybe better," she raised an eyebrow looking back at him. "You should be happy, you're the one getting pleasure from me."
"I believe in the past twenty-four hours alone I've pleasured you around five or six times. For which I asked nothing from you in return." His raised his own eyebrow back at her.
"I didn't complain," she let herself smirk a bit thinking about the morning and looked at her plate.
"Are you better now, pet?" He asked, seeing her smirk.
"Mhm," she sighed and looked up. "It's delicious, love."
"Thank you," he finished his own serving and stood, gathering the plates once Nellie set her fork down and taking them to the sink.
"Thank you for dinner." She bit her lip watching him as he rolled his sleeves up. "I'm sorry."
He turned back towards her as she apologized and held out his arms once more. "Come here."
She smiled a bit and came to him, snuggling as he took her into his arms again.
"You need to stop worrying yourself pet, it isn't healthy," as he spoke he played softly with a loose curl.
"I can't help it..."
"What can I do?" He rubbed her back gently and she sighed, nuzzling against his chest. "You can't keep digging up every last worry you have."
"I don't know... I'm sorry," she started to feel guilty again as he held her close and spoke softly. He really had been good to her today. "I must be hormonal or something."
"Shh," he led her back to the table and sat, bringing her down onto his lap.
Nellie sighed shakily and buried her face against his shoulder. "I always want to cry and sometimes I don't even know why... I'm sorry... I'm being so hard to live with..." She held onto him tightly, hoping that he could forgive her for ruining their day and acting like such an idiot.
"Pet..." He placed a few light kisses to her hair and held her tighter. "It's alright..."
"No it's not," she sniffed a bit and held the fabric of his sleeve in her hand. "You've been so kind to me today and I keep being so..." Nellie stopped and began to cry softly, feeling like a fool.
Sighing, he forced her to look at him. "Pet... Nellie... it's alright."
"No!" She cried more and sniffed again. "I care about you and I keep messing up everything and I'm so sorry..." She put her head back onto his shoulder quickly, not wanting him to see her cry.
Sweeney held her tightly and rubbed her back in circles, placing kisses on top of her head. "Shh, pet... You know if I were angry I wouldn't be doing this..."
Nellie nodded against his shoulder and wiped her cheeks with her fingers. "I love you."
"I know, pet... I know." He kissed the top of her head, suppressing his own guilt as it began to flood his chest.
"I don't know what I'll do without you..." She sighed shakily, keeping her head glued to his shoulder. "A month... it's so long."
"I'll be back, pet..." He adjusted her on his lap and unconsciously put his hand on the side of her stomach.
"I know..." she looked up and kissed his cheek. "Just one month." She smiled softly despite her stinging eyes and aching heart.
"Just one," he echoed back at her and kissed her forehead.
"Nellie closed her eyes as he did and rested her head back on his shoulder. "I'm so tired..."
He slid her gently from his lap and and stood, taking her hand. "Come on, then, we'll go to bed."
Nellie smiled and squeezed his hand, walking to the bedroom. He followed close behind her and once they were in her room he began to help untie her dress. "You women have to wear the most complicated things," he muttered as he worked, trying to disentangle a mistied lace.
Nellie giggled and bit her lip. "I know."
When he managed to finish undoing her dress she slipped it off and he took off his shirt. Nellie took off her bloomers and stockings, kicking her shoes into the corner of the room before laying in bed naked and pulling the covers over herself. He smirked seeing she would rather sleep naked and took off his pants before crawling into bed beside her, pulling her back against his chest and feeling a bit surprised himself at his sudden erection.
Nellie smirked as she felt him hard against her back and decided she would make it up to him for their argument. Turning to face him she ran her hand down his chest and over his stomach. "Do you really want to sleep..."
"You're the one that's tired." He smirked and kissed her gently as her hand traced his abdominal muscles.
"It's hard to sleep next to you, sweetie," she smirked and kissed him back, moving her hand over his thigh.
"Mhm... and why is that?" He kissed her again and deepened it, sliding his tongue across her lips.
"Well that's quite obvious love," she let his tongue into her mouth and took him in her hand again. He growled against her lips and bit her lower one softly.
"Pet..." He moved his lips to her neck and kissed, licked, and bit at the sensitive skin.
Nellie moaned and closed her eyes, stroking him slowly.
He pushed her gently onto her back and leaned over her chest, placing kisses along her collarbone and trailing his hand down her side.
Nellie moaned again softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Make love to me..." She whispered, looking into his eyes as he moved to kiss her again.
He trailed a hand along the side of her face and kissed her softly. "Of course, pet..."
She kissed back slowly and pulled him close until he pulled away to move between her thighs. He entered her slowly and kept his gaze on her face as she moaned. He pumped into her slowly, growling softly.
Nellie moaned louder and moved her hips against him. "Sweeney..."
He continued to go slowly and deliberately, tangling a hand into her hair as he watched her face.
Nellie moaned repeatedly until she came and closed her eyes, arching her back as he began to thrust harder and faster until he reached his own release.
"Nellie," he groaned darkly and pulled out, moving back to her side and pulling her back against his chest. She snuggled, feeling content again and smiled as she stroked his chest.
"You're amazing, love."
"It's entirely your doing pet," he spoke softly and pulled the blanket back over them as he stroked her hair.
Nellie smiled and sighed, closing her eyes again. "Good night, love."
"Good night, pet," he held her tighter as she closed her eyes and felt an odd sense of calm holding her. Trying not to think about it, he closed his own eyes and focused on her breathing until at last he fell asleep.