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Ben wakes up early in the morning feeling very tired. Both his mind and body feels like it has been overly used- which is true. Last night, he's not been able to sleep well- he is pacing around his shop, thinking about his wife and what could she be hiding from him. He tries to convince himself that Mr. Connor has only mistaken Lucy for somebody else and that she's at her sister's house, enjoying. But, there's a nagging feeling in his mind telling that Mr. Connor is stating the truth.

He feels guilty- and it pains him to doubt his wife but there are reasons why he does so. First, he just realized that the train does not leave until 6 o' clock but his wife told him that she's leaving at 5 o' clock- there's no reason for her to leave so early, the train station is not far away from their home. Second, he does not remember his wife receiving a letter- or maybe, he did not notice. And lastly, he guesses that maybe the reason why Lucy did not wake him up when she left is because then he'll know that she's meeting with the judge.

He fears that his suspicions might be true. Truth be told, it is not impossible that Lucy might really be working for the judge. But what he doesn't understand is why wouldn't she tell him? He just needs to tell her and- well, he knows now: his wife did not tell him because she knows that he would not let her. He does not want her to, because he doesn't see the need for her to work. He is earning enough to support the both of them, it is not a lot of money but it's enough. In fact, he can still save some.

But what about- What if, Lucy has an affair with the judge? Doesn't she love him anymore? What does the judge have that he doesn't, Money? But he could provide her that. Wasn't it enough? Why would she want to bear his child if she can have the judge's? Every time she tells him that she loves him, is it true or only for a show? Why would she stay with him then, if the judge could clearly provide her luxury than him? Out of pity?

He gives out a frustrated sigh, he should not be thinking like this. Lucy loves him and he's very sure of that. He shakes his head clearing his thoughts away. Thinking only gives him headache; after all, he will see his wife tomorrow and he'll be able to confirm all these things. He sighs; he does not know how he is going to open to his wife about the matter- Lucy is very sensitive and she might take it the wrong way, she might think that he's accusing her and that he does not trust her.

Standing up from his bed, he walks to the bathroom and takes a quick shower. Taking a bath helps him- he feels relaxed, the water feels cool in his skin and it refreshes him. For a while, he does not think of Lucy, he can only think of how soothing the cool water is- it momentarily washes his worries away.

He goes out of the bedroom, heading towards his shop. He starts doing his daily routines. He begins to ponder about how he treated Mrs. Lovett last night- he acts differently, and maybe rudely. His excuse is that he is not in his right mind- considering about what he found out- and he thinks that his reason is valid. He knows that Mrs. Lovett senses his obvious distress and that she just wants to help him but he just cannot tell her about his problem. If he tells her then she might think things that are not good about Lucy, and he does not like that.

But surely Nellie wouldn't judge his wife, right? She is the most understanding person he knows. She's not one to judge people without knowing their story first, so he guesses that he can tell her. He needs comfort- and assurance. He is confused and he just wants someone to talk to- someone to tell him that everything is just a big mistake.

After finishing what he's doing, he goes downstairs to- as usual- eat breakfast with Mrs. Lovett. He heads towards the door and closes it behind him; he goes downstairs straight to the baker's shop. Upon entering he sees that she's already seated at the booth near the window, he approaches her taking a seat across her.

Mrs. Lovett smiles at him shyly then looks away; he notices that she does not greet him 'good morning' like she always does. It's like she's unsure of how she's going to deal with him, and he perfectly understands her- what with how he acted last night.

Guessing that it's the perfect time to apologize to her, he clears her throat to get her attention "I'm sorry for how I acted last night, Nellie. I just had lots of things in my mind." He says sincerely, looking straight in her eyes.

She's silent for a while, just staring at him- she can see a hint of sadness in his eyes- until she smiles and gives a slight nod. She pushes his plate of food over him and they begin eating.

Moments after, she calls his name softly- he looks at her questioningly- as if to say something, but she just opens and closes her mouth. He can see the hesitation in her eyes but after giving her an encouraging look she says what she wants to say "well- I- if, you know… if you have problems, I can always help."

"I know. Thank you." He mutters- as he looks her in the eyes- his voice barely a whisper. He averts his gaze away from her, looking at his hands which are place at the top of the table, he sighs. "It's Lucy…"

Mrs. Lovett gives him a sympathetic look "Oh, Ben. You must have terribly missed her. No need to be sad, she'll be here tomorrow." She smiles at him, though her smile looks strained- Lucy, coming home isn't a good thing for her, it only means that her alone time with Benjamin will be over.

He shakes his head in negative as he speaks; still not looking at her "No, no, no, it's not that. It's- Well, you see… I told you that she's going at her sister's house, right?" he looks up at her waiting for her response, she just nods and he continues "well, Mr. Connor, my regular customer- me and Lucy's friend- came yesterday, like he does every Friday. He told me that he saw Lucy- the day when she left- he saw her riding a carriage with the Judge and the Beadle."

Mrs. Lovett is quite surprised upon hearing this. She never expects Lucy to lie to her husband, and to just go ride a carriage with the bloody judge and beadle. Doesn't she know that they are very dangerous men? If this is true then clearly Lucy was not thinking when she went with them. Well, what can she say? Lucy is very naïve, indeed.

"Come on, Ben. I know that you know that Mr. Connor might be mistaken. It'd be better if you just ask your wife about it. It's not good that you believe other people more than you do your wife." She says to him, raising one eyebrow. She knows what he is implying when he tells her about what Mr. Connor says to him- he thinks Lucy's lying to him or worse cheating.

Now he feels guiltier. He looks sheepish, gazing at Mrs. Lovett under his eyes. "But you don't understand, Nellie. I have… reasons." He answers back, defending himself.

"Reasons? And what they may be?" she asks him with curiosity evident in her voice.

Ben sighs and ducks down his head, shaking it "Never mind, let's just eat."

She reaches out for his hand and gives it a light squeeze "It'll be alright, Mr. whoever-he-is ' is just mistaken."

He gives her a smile- one that tells that he appreciates what she says and places his other hand on top of hers.

They continue eating, dropping the subject, though Mrs. Lovett could tell that Ben is still thinking about it, and she cannot blame him- she perfectly understands him. She tells him stories about her childhood- on how she always gets into troubles, to make him laugh, to let him not worry. She's happy to find him laughing and enjoying himself, his worries leaving his mind.

After they are done, Ben bids her good bye and off he goes. She smiles, a triumphant one. She knows she is able to make him feel better, not completely, but still. She just hopes that his darling Lucy is really at her sister's house. She knows how much it will hurt Ben if he finds out that she is really with the judge- Lucy may have a good reason to go with Turpin but she still didn't have to lie.

Ben tidies and closes his shop, going downstairs to lounge at Mrs. Lovett's parlor as they do every night when their works are all done. He opens the door to the bake shop, hearing the bell clanging merrily. He goes straight to the parlor, knowing that the baker is already there- probably reading a book. He's right, he sees her seated at the sofa near the fire place, too engrossed in reading to notice him. Her feet propped up on a stall, her shoes lays discarded at the side of the room.

He approaches her, seating himself beside her. She just looks up at him and back to the book. There's a coffee table beside him where he always places the book he's reading after he's done with it, before he returns to his shop at night. He makes himself comfortable into the sofa; he wraps his arm around Mrs. Lovett's shoulder bringing her close to him, making her lay her head on his shoulder- before grabbing the book and starts reading himself.

It is now very typical to see them in this position every night. There's no malice, it's just that they are both comfortable like that. But of course, if anyone sees them, they might think that the two are lovers-the way that they are both cuddled into each other. But really, to them it's nothing.

The atmosphere around them is very peaceful and quiet. They are both in their own little world- it depends on the story that they are reading. They are hardly aware of each other's presence, far too wrapped up to the story that they are imagining, playing every scene in their head as they are reading.

Suddenly, Mrs. Lovett gives out a squeal- startling Ben- breaking the serenity of the moment. He turns to look at her then frowns, befuddled. "What is it?" he asks.

She is grinning like fool, her smile so wide that it stretches up to her ears. She covers her mouth with her hand that is not holding the book as she feels another sound threatening to escape her mouth- and again, she squeals. She does not even notice that Ben is looking at her- puzzled by her antics- either, when he asked her.

He shakes her subtly to get her attention, and he's successful at that. She looks up at him, with a questioning look on her face; clearly she has no idea that she's making noises- bothering him.

"What are you squealing about?" he asks her as he chuckles.

"Ooh... Ben, they kissed. Ooh… it is so romantic- the prince- oh! Everything's just perfect." She tells him, it is obvious that she is picturing the kiss in her head- with the faraway look on her eyes.

"Tell me about it."

"What? Tell you what?" she asks, she knows what he's asking her to do. She cannot do it, she might get carried away and do something she'll regret.

"The kiss, Read it to me. I want to know too." he says, now interested in what she's reading. His book lays forgotten on his lap.

She shakes her head "No. here…" she hands him the book and points out the part where the kiss happened "read it yourself."

He takes the book from her and silently reads. He remains quiet as he too, imagines the kiss that is happening in the book- he cannot deny the fact that she's right… it's perfect. She looks at him with her big brown eyes, waiting for his reaction. When he finishes, he lets out a shaky breath and hands her back the book.

"You're right, it's… perfect." He says in a whisper, as if afraid that someone might hear them. She places the book on her lap and looks at him- he is looking back at her, eyes boring into hers.

Time stands still as they stare unblinkingly at each other, both know exactly what's on the other's mind. Their hearts beating rapidly and they could hear it as silence fall over them. They are breathing fast- chest rising and falling at the same time. They cannot take it any longer.

They move in synchronization- their eyes fluttering close as they lean into each other. Both anticipating feeling the lips of the other to them and as the moment comes...

Pure bliss…

Their minds go blank, everything around them fade. They are the only ones that matter. The only thing that registers into them is the euphoric feeling of each others' lips.

He lifts his hand to put it at the back of her head, pulling her closer to him- the other encircles her waist. She moans softly at this- she puts her hands on both side of his face, cupping them, caressing- feeling him. After a while, she feels his tongue begging for entrance and she allows him- greeting his with hers.

The intensity of the kiss- that starts as gentle- is getting higher. As their tongue rubs against each other, they can both feel the need, the desire, the passion- they have been holding back for so long, they just couldn't stop- yes, it's wrong but nothing's going to hinder them now.

They can both feel a tingling sensation to their bodies, running up their spines. Their hands start to roam, going to places that are forbidden. They moan into each other's mouth- sign that they both enjoy what they're doing.

But before it could go far, they stop. As if on cue, they pull apart- panting very hard, gasping for breath. They both look confused and stunned as they look at each other- eyes wide and mouth agape. Neither knows what to say- but there's really nothing to say. So they just gaze at one other- questioning each other what just happened. But there's no answer.

Benjamin is the first to speak apologizing- though he's really not sorry, because he knows that they both liked it "I'm sorry, I- I don-"

She hushes him by placing a finger on his lips. She does not want to hear what he's going to say, because she knows, she knows that he'll say that it's a mistake- yes it is, just like the child inside her, but she wants to at least for the night pretend that it's not.

"Shh… it's okay. It's nothing, right? We just got carried away. " She says, as she lays her head on his chest, snuggling- her heart still beating fast.

He nods and repeats what she says- though she wishes that he hadn't "Yes, it's nothing." He wraps his hands around her, rubbing her back.

They stay like that, not uttering any word. She expects him to go back to his shop but he didn't- she does not know why, but she's not going to protest, she's happy that he's there. The last thing that's in her mind before sleep claims her is that: she heard, heard his heart beating fast- like hers- and she knows that the kiss is not- nothing, it's…

Something.

hey guys, sorry for not updating last week-.-

I'm really nervous about this chapter... how's the kiss?

well, i think it's time that i finally make it happen, right? since Lucy's going back home.

Leave me a Review :)