Chapter 33: Self Defense For Barber Attacks

Note: So this chapter we will have some fluff between Johanna and Anthony which I think is important since they have been out of focus for a while. But first we need to give a little focus to Robert helping Mrs Lovett learn how to fight so she isn't able to go toe to toe with Sweeney out of nowhere. I know neither one of them are canonically fighters but I think this story is pretty fun so I hope you can forgive me. Anyway let's get this party started with Nellie's POV.

(Nellie's POV.) I still could not believe I was Nellie Jones now. Or that I would ever marry again after Albert. As happy as I was, I still felt concerned that Sweeney might come for me someday, as much as I wanted a chance to get a shot at him. Robert however helped me prepare for this possibility. It did not tell Robert I wanted to kill Todd with one of his own razors, so I realized the high chance of an actual fight between me and the barber.

I knew we would likely fight razor to razor. But Robert was smart and knew a few things. He often got into fights when he was a child and therefore had gained some experience in fighting obviously. He also had some tricks to gain strength too which were interesting. I took a deep breath and sighed. I absolutely hoped that Mr Todd would come for me so he and I could finish things between us.

Robert walked in on me working on the pies for the next night in the bake-house. "Nice to see you love." "I'm happy to see you dear, even when I'm working on tomorrow's pies." "So do you still think that barber will come back for you?" "He is not the kind to forgive and forget love, and because of that I do think he will come back for me someday." "You know I did teach you a method of self defense, I could show you more, help you build strength more too.

Just in case he does return for you, you can defend yourself, just in case I am not there to help you." I actually felt Robert had a good idea there. I turned to face him after he said this. "Do you have any idea of what I could do?" "I could teach you how to throw a proper punch, I know its basic but I doubt he would be prepared for you to know how to throw a good punch." "That's a good idea."

"You can make a fist right?" I did so. "That is a good fist, now the punch. First straighten your arm to make sure you will keep your arm straight when you throw it. You won't need to waste time doing that in the future once you, I just need to make sure you throw this punch straight. I proceeded to do so. "Put your right foot farther back but not completely behind you, since your right is the most dominant.

I did so. "A little too far back, pull your foot back up about a centimeter more." "Good," he said as I fixed my stance. "Now you step forward with your right foot and, your foot should slide forward and pivot your right hip forward and throw your fist rolling your shoulder. I felt a rush of air as I threw a punch harder than I had ever thrown. "The barber will definitely be dazed if you land a blow like that.

Building up some strength might be a good way to increase the power, and I have an idea for that too, my love." I raised my eyebrow as he said this. "I've seen you drag those heavy bags of flour into your shop and lift them onto your table." "Of course I'm not weak." "A good thing you could do is try to carry it as long as you can until you can carry it all the way to your shop without having to drag them." "That does sound tough Robert."

"That may be so, but it will help you get stronger than you are now." "I do need to get stronger in case he comes back as said before." So I can overpower that bastard and kill him with one of his own razors. Starting the next day I began to work on my punch and started working on bringing the flour bags to my home without dragging them. He also taught me how to do push ups, and also taught me how to properly ram my shoulder into someone as well as slam your palm into someone. I did seem to show results because I was getting stronger than I was before.

I can carry a bag of flour all the way here from town now. I wonder if me and Robert will ever have children. (Johanna's POV.) It was evening and me and Anthony were walking through town hand in hand. It was an interesting experience getting to know your own mother. She and father told us that they were to remarry here, not that they ever truly divorced.

"I am happy that they reunited," Anthony said. "Yes," I answered as we walked to the pier. Anthony liked to come to the pier, as to him the water meant freedom. "I hope we will marry Anthony someday." "Whenever you are ready Johanna. When you feel you have spent enough time with your family we will marry.

I will wait for you as long as you wish for my love." "You are such a sweet man Anthony." "Not as sweet as you, Johanna." I turned to Anthony and smiled. "I have decided that Anthony I want you to ask me to marry you." "Are you sure you are ready?"

"Of course I am my dear Anthony. I want the happiness that my mother and father once had, and will hopefully have again. I will save up money to buy us rings, I already have some." "After your parents' wedding I can announce our engagement" Anthony said excitedly. "I can have the rings bought a few months after" I said. Before I could react Anthony picked me off the ground and spun me.

"Were in public Anthony please," I giggled. He put me down grinning sheepishly. "We'll set our marriage for a Sunday," he said. "I've always wanted to have a Sunday wedding to someone I truly loved." "I love you more than life itself Johanna." "As do I to you my dearest love."

Note: I hope the training Mrs Lovett is doing isn't too far fetched for the time. Looks like the Anthony/Johanna fluff ended up being more important than I stated huh. Anyway I think it's time for the wedding of Sweeney and Lucy, though Todd will still use his cover name. Then of course Anthony and Johanna will get some time to make their announcement. Then after the wedding the chapter after next will begin the final story arc. Three month will have passed when the wedding happens.