Few weeks passed by and as Mrs. Lovett said and Sweeney thought , that Bright Idea was worth. They both have profit from it, Sweeney get much more prepared for Judge by slitting throats of city strangers. And Mrs. Lovett make pies of them, which were so delicious that she have full pie shop every day since her Grand opening.
,,What's behind this gaze, love ?'' she asked slowly.
,,Hmm ?'' Sweeney keeps his eyes on the window.
,,You're looking to the empty street for more than ten minutes, dear,'' she announced , dusting off her hands from flour. She leaned to the counter watching him with interest.
,,It's been raining for two hours and it doesn't seem that it should stop at any moment…'' he sigh.
,,And ? We're in London, it's usual here-''
,,But it looks like the storm will break out.''
,,Yes, isn't it fascinating,'' she went around the counter and across her shop to the sitting Sweeney by the window, watching dreamily out. ,,It reminds me a beautiful rhythm of waltz,'' she sigh.
,,To me it's just reminder of my painful memories. Stormy nights on the sea. And the very night when they arrested me for false accuse, it was enormous storm that night and since then I'm frightened by storms…'' his voice low and filled with sadness and fear.
,,Oh…you poor thing,'' she gently stroked his shoulder. He smiled at the short contact with her, which has faded again when he felt her hand leaving him. He heard a few steps behind him, some rustle in the shelf and her steps went closer to him again. He turned his head to her , she put on the table beside him two tots and filled them with Gin. ,,Here-'' she handed him one tot ,,- for courage and relief,'' she smiled when he took it from her hand, touching her fingers for a moment longer. She took the other tot and clinked with Sweeney.
,,To a respectable business !'' he smiled.
As Sweeney suspected , later on when he came to his shop, the rain become much stronger. And he saw first lightning followed with first thunder afar. Despite the distance his fear start growing. He watched the dark night sky and the flash light brought him back to the sea. He could feel the salt water soaking through his clothes and in his skin. He could hear the shout of sailors , commanding the other members of the crew. And when he heard another thunder he remembered her crying Lucy when the police officers beat him up in front of her before taking him away. His vision then was quietly fogged because of rain and pain as the police officers had no mercy with him. The last thing he saw before they took him away was her little one year baby daughter , Johanna. He could hear her crying…and another thunder. His eyes squeezed with all those memories. And another thunder and he couldn't take more.
His eyes blinked open and he saw flash , with which he jumped up from his barber chair and went straight to the door, along the way he grabbed his coat and throw it on his head like a cover to rain. He quickly opened and closed the door behind him, he flew down the stairs and to Mrs. Lovett pie shop. It was dark there, but drought. He wondered for a while what time at the night he chose to go down here, but the lightning make him moving farther.
He threw his wet coat to one of the chairs in her shop, going to Mrs. Lovett's parlor. He saw Toby sweetly sleeping on the sofa. He smiled The boy is a big help for Nellie…she needed it desperately and since I have killed Pirelli, he is here and she's finally happier than before , and much rested. And he seem to be happy too…another lighting interrupted his thoughts.
And as he heard another thunder , it made him move quickly to the door of her bedroom. With one deep breath he silently open the door and slipped in her room, again quietly closing them. Her room was pretty cold, probably because the windows leaked slightly. The candle burn out. And then he saw her. Lying in her bed, her face turned to him, in the window direction. He could swear she was smiling, even in her sleep. And then she suddenly muttered his name. Did she really said that ?
,,Sweeney…'' now he could hear her without mistaking. She was still smiling and breathing lightly.
Her face shined from the lightning , he sigh above her beautiful happy features. But another thunder lifted him a little and he without thinking walked around the bed and slipped under the sheet beside her. She gave a lurch as she instantly woke up at the stranger in her bed.
,,W-wot-who-who is it ?'' she said sleepily blinking at him.
,,Shh-it's me, Sweeney…'' he whispered.
,,A-Oaaa-nd what do I owe to this visit ?'' she yawned smiling as she finally saw him when her eyes adapted to the darkness of her room.
,,You can thank the storm…I felt so lonely in my shop and-'' he break off seeing the lightning.
,,And ?'' she watched his shined frightened face.
,,I am haunted,'' he breathed closing his eyes, feeling the warmth around him.
,,By wot ?'' she petted his cheek.
,,Memories…pain…past,'' he released from his mind.
,,Tell me, you can trust me,'' she smiled with another lightning.
,,I can still hear her crying,'' he squeezed his eyes.
,,Who ?''
,,Johanna, when they took me to the prison, I saw her little mouth open , screaming…''
He leaned closer as the thunder shook with his senses.
,,It's okay, we will save her, you will have the Judge, we can find the way…'' she consoled him.
,,Yes,'' he whispered ,,but now is now…please let this torture finish !'' tears caught in his eyes.
,,Shh-shh,'' she leaned to him running her hand behind him. He nuzzled to her chest. ,,Yer Nellie is 'ere for ya , hmmm, shh-'' she kissed his forehead.
,,You know, I've been thinking about Lucy and Johanna for all these years …all fifteen years, and when I get back, there was no one for me…no one except of you. I thought after my Lucy died , I can't love anybody else. I thought Sweeney Todd, the demon, is only after his revenge, but what would I do after I'll kill the judge, and what would I do without you and-'' he looked into her eyes. ,,Nellie ?''
,,Yes ?''
,,I love you,'' he kissed her. ,,You've always been honest to me and open.''
She bit her lip ,,I-I…no I wasn't . I'm so sorry.''
,,For what. How do you mean it ?'' he asked still smiling at her.
,,I haven't told you the plain truth,'' she sobbed a little. ,,Would you love me still if I told you the real truth now and confess that I did that just for your own good, because I don't want to see you broken more than you've been when I told you about yer Lucy ?''
,,Yes, of course I would love you,'' he smiled.
,,Do you promise ?''
,,Yes Nellie, yes I promise.''
She took a deep breath ,, then I must show you something tomorrow at the market…''
,,And what is it ?'' he said and suddenly leaned closer to her chest as a thunder echoed in the room.
She pulled his head closer to her , petting his back. ,,Yer Lucy-''
,,What ?''
,,I told you the truth but not completely…yes she poisoned herself by the arsenic , and I was trying to stop her, but she was faster than me and she drank a half of the bottle. I was taking care of her and Johanna, but she ran away and other day me Albert was looking for her , while I was here with Johanna. He searched her everywhere , and he found her…in Bedlam, because Beadle guided him there. She get mad , too much even for the Bedlam and she ended on the street…and I haven't told you just because I don't wanted to torture you. She don't remember on anything before, she don't remember on me , on judge , not even she's got a daughter-'' she bit her lip.
He freeze watching her. Asking fearfully ,,a-and Johanna ? My daughter ?''
,,I was protecting her with me own body , but Judge himself ripped her from me hands and took her with him away. I was crying for several nights 'cause I haven't saved her , I haven't fought enough. And when me Albert died…I was left alone here, for ten years,'' she cried looking in his eyes, but she haven't seen there the darkness and danger as usual…no, there was understanding and relief.
,,Oh my Nellie,'' he cried leaning closer to her surprise. His face buried in her neck, she felt tears rolling down her own cheeks and his tears soaking in her skin.
They cried for a long while until Sweeney spoke. ,,Thank you.''
,,For what ?''
,,For being honest. For trying to save my wife and then my daughter, and for being with me after all you've been trough-''
,,That's all because I love you,'' she sniffed.
,,Nellie , I love you,'' he kissed her once again still crying. ,,But I must kill the Judge…to bury the last signs of my past…Benjamin loved Lucy, but he's dead for so long. It's time to be happy again.''
She couldn't believe her ears , still thinking this is a dream. She sobbed hardly.
,,Love, why are you still crying ?''
,,'Cause I'm sleeping and I'm gonna wake every moment and you'll be gone and everythin' wot happened now-''
,,Shh-you're not sleeping I'm here, and I'm staying,'' he comforted her. ,,Do you think she is on the market now ?''
,,Now ? Maybe yes…''
,,Then I want to see her,'' he was determined.
,,But , the storm-''
,,If I'm going to dispose of all the pain of my past I want to do it in the storm and tonight.''
She nodded, both standing up before getting dressed…she just put on some dress covering her nightgown and taking her coat. They left her room.
They wouldn't have go so far away from her pie shop. They saw some old beggar on the street , trembling beneath some roof of some shop.
,,This is Lucy ?'' he asked slowly as the thunder echoed through the street.
Mrs. Lovett just nodded not saying anything.
,,But this woman talked to me when we landed in London …in the harbor,'' he was so quiet. ,,She was so different and strange…but her voice was familiar…'' he looked at her , recognizing the blue eyes and the blond hair when the lightning shined her face. ,,It is Lucy.''
,,I'm so sorry,'' Mrs. Lovett covered her mouth with her hand.
He stood straight, looking at Lucy , this was not his wife, this was not Lucy at all…this was broken woman trying to survive herself.
,,I was trying to get her back to take care of her, but she didn't remember of me and she always ran away…'' Mrs. Lovett explained.
His love for her was absolutely gone…Lucy was really dead now and Benjamin Barker too. I need to move on…I have to ! I'm so sorry Lucy, for everything. And I swear to God I won't let this happen ever again ! I'll save Johanna, for us Lucy, Benjamin was not a good husband. I'm so sorry to see you like this. You'll find your peace. Goodbye…he gave her his farewell with one last look a tear rolled down his cheek. Leaving there Benjamin, the past , the pain and the memories…
,,Let's get out of here,'' he whispered turning to Mrs. Lovett.
,,You sure ?''
,,Yes.''
They left, going straight to the Fleet street. And because the rain was picking up its pace and the storm seem to be closer and closer they decide to run. Both totally wet from head over heels. He took her hand running rapidly to Fleet street. His fear from storm was still there, but the pain from memories was gone. He saw her shop finally. Hooking her arm around his waist to have her closer. They reached the pie shop , closing the door behind them. Both panting , went to her parlor, quietly around the sweetly sleeping Toby. She closed the door of her bedroom behind them.
,,So now you know,'' she released.
,,Yes, and I'm glad you told me the truth. And I'm glad I have you,'' he hugged her.
,,Oh you're all wet dear, I saw in me shop your coat, why haven't you took it.''
,,Always taking care of me,'' he smiled.
,,Come , here,'' she handed him a dry blanket from her chair. ,,Put away that wet shirt and take this, you wanna get cold ?''
,,No,'' he chuckled.
She put down her wet coat and wet dress, but her nightgown was surprisingly dry.
,,Better ?'' she asked him watching him covering himself in the blanket. Now she saw that he hadn't took off only his shirt , but on the floor lied even his pants and underwear.
,,Better,'' he nodded.
,,Come to the parlor, I'll make a fire in the fire place…'' she was reaching for the door handle, but he took her hand and draw her to him.
,,No, I don't want to wake up Toby,'' he smiled. ,, And in addition, your bed is warm enough,'' he sat down in her bed tugging her down too. The bed screeched beneath added weight.
Suddenly they turned their heads to the window as they saw a flash , lightning followed instantly by a loud thunder. The storm was right above them.
,,I don't want to go up in my shop, can I stay here tonight ?'' Sweeney asked frightened.
,,Yes love, I wouldn't let you go anyway,'' she smiled and covered themselves with the sheets, her bed really still warm.
They lied there looking at each other , Sweeney trembled and leaned closer with every single thunder.
,,Love, try to listen to the beat of the rain drops…like a waltz remember ? How you danced with me across me pie shop ?'' she tried to console him.
He closed his eyes and wondered what she just said. Yes…yes it's-it's like a waltz…he imagined her standing in her pie shop, wearing that beautiful black dress, with short sleeves. He took her hands to make the imagination stronger. In his mind he took her hands too, and pressed her body to his , slowly start dancing in the rhythm of the rain…suddenly he hear a thunder, but now he didn't twitched, no, he smiled because he raised her above his head making her smile…that beautiful smile made him smile too in real. He opened his eyes watching her smiling at him.
,,See, I told ya,'' she giggled. ,,Isn't it fascinating ?''
,,It is,'' he grinned.
She closed her eyes. He watched her and he suddenly remembered what happened when he came in her bedroom tonight.
,,Nellie ?''
,,Hmm ?'' she opened her eyes.
,,You were talking in your sleep, when I came here. You-you called my name and you smiled beautifully…what you were dreaming of ?'' he asked curiously.
,,Surprisingly about you,'' she giggled.
,,Yes but , exactly ?''
,,Exactly about the events of the afternoon a few weeks ago.''
He smiled at the memory. He tugged the hem of her nightgown a little apart, to reveal her skin there. He saw the big T scar above her breast.
,,I'm so sorry for this…''
,,You don't have to be, I like it, even when it's still a little bit sensitive,'' she gently touched the bruise.
He leaned down to the bruise , kissing it carefully. Her eyes fluttered. The storm haven't seem to be subsiding. Reversely it seem to be growing up. He kissed up her neck and to her full lips. She circled her hand around his neck.
,,I love you Nellie,'' he mutter to her mouth. She just moaned , pulling him closer.
,,We-we shouldn't do this…'' she forced herself to speak.
,,Why ?''
,,Because you just saw Lucy-''
,,She's not my wife anymore, I'm not Benjamin, I have buried my past right there beside Lucy and I'm not going to go back to it…and after I'll kill the judge, I'll flee with you somewhere, where we could be save, and together. With Johanna and Toby of course,'' he smiled meaning it truly this time, and she knew it very well.
,,I love you,'' she breathed. ,, We'll find the way to the bloody ol' judge, and 'ow to save Johanna,'' she nodded. He pressed his forehead to hers.
As the lightning shined his face she couldn't keep herself from him and she dive into his caresses and soft kisses. She was kissing him too as he unbuttoned her nightgown and tugged it over her head , throwing it away. He released her cherry red hair from her bun, which slipped wet down her bare shoulders. She pulled away the blanket from him and pressed herself to him.
He kissed his trail down from her jawline to her breasts, caressing her sides. He laid her down , sucking at her nipple, rewarded by a loud moan from her.
,,Shh-'' he pressed a finger on her mouth. ,,No loud sounds tonight pet, we don't want to wake the boy…''
,,Right,'' she whispered. He went back down to her breasts, while she teased his length, that was pressing on her thigh. His skin was wet from the rain and cold but hot at once against her own. They heard thunders one after another. She felt him hardening in her hand, her fingers going faster and he moaned lightly at her breasts. He went back to her mouth, letting her guide himself inside her. She run her hand up his chest, and gasped when he entered her.
,,Mmmm,'' she whimpered quietly, pulling him closer. Gasping as he moved further inside her, arching above her , growling quietly with pleasure. She rise her legs to his waist, forcing him deeper.
,,Yes,'' she whispered licking her lips. He moved faster inside her, leaning down to kiss her.
,,I love you,'' he muttered to her mouth, rocking together in the rhythm of the thunders.
Now the storm became much more exciting. It became their love rhythm and they couldn't deny it, but just surrender to it. Every his thrust was one thunder and every her gaps, moan and silent cry of pleasure was one lightning. The sensitive magnificent connection of them was something unique now and something they don't want to ever stop. As the storm escalated, his pace become faster.
,,Sweeney,'' she moaned to his chest, arching beneath him.
,,Love,'' he grunted.
Both moving out of control, her nails digging, biting into his back, his kisses caressing her neck , bust and her chin.
,,Oh love-I'm go-gonna-'' she whispered.
,,Yes-me too,'' he panted.
With flash, how lightning light up the room, she gasped as she climaxed, her eyes searching for his. His last thrust followed with loud thunder allowed them to release their loud moans of ecstasy when he spilled inside her, he went much deep. His release tickle her g-spot and she could only barely manage to catch her whimper from escaping her parted lips. He kissed her , pulling himself out but not going anywhere. He just let his head rest on her shoulder , his face in her neck, sucking effectively.
She kissed his cheek, petting his back with her both hands. He rolled beside her, nuzzling to her. They cuddled in one big warm embrace in her bed , switching between watching each other and looking out of the window watching the fading storm. The rain flows on the window bring them pleasant atmosphere as their breaths slowly calmed to normal and they succumbed to sleep togehter.