Chapter One

Mrs. Lovett stirred in her sleep. Visions of screeching seagulls, smiling couples and lively chatter danced around her mind. She didn't want to leave that world, yet unfortunately her senses warned her she was edging ever closer to reality. She loved that world. She was happy there. He was happy there.

She yawned, returning to the ever daunting world of consciousness. She stretched, flexing her limbs out in order to wake herself properly. She heard Mr. Todd's impatient pacing above her and glanced up with a worried look. Did that man ever sleep?

She glanced at the time. Ten past seven, she was late. Mr.T would have been serving customers above for two hours already. He was always open before anyone was awake. Why he felt the need to open at such an unearthly hour she had no idea.

The baker dressed quickly, a harsh wind reminding her just how cold London's winter mornings could be. She thought it hardly odd that she had heard no customer climb the stairs the barber shop above; no man in his right mind would brave the streets with such a chill in the air.

She fussed around with her hair a while before finally admitting defeat and pinning it in its usual, disarrayed style. Mrs. Lovett moved towards the door hastily: she was running very late. Stepping into the doorway, she heard something hit the cold, hard floor. Her hands flew instantly to her neck where her most precious accessory should have been. She bent down to the floor and searched the cold floorboards with her wearied hands. Soon finding the emerald pendant, she held it carefully. She sighed looking into the deep green reflection, transfixed by her thoughts. The pendant hadn't always been so dull. It used to glimmer, shine and gleam in the sunlight. But the years had not been particularly kind to the emerald jewel and its happy spark had faded. Not unlike herself. She smiled faintly as she thought back seventeen long years.

Miss. Lovett's heart raced as she ran down the stairway to her room. Benjamin had told her earlier that he has a surprise for her, and had banished her from her own quarters until her saw fit to show her. Now that he called for her, Nellie bubbled with excitement. She stopped and stood just before the doorway, attempting to calm herself before entering. She moved and stood in the doorway.

"Nellie!" he exclaimed, smiling as he turned to greet her, "how are you my dear?"

She beamed at him, her efforts to appear calm obviously failing her.

"Very well thank you Mr.B, yourself?"

"Im quite well too, my girl," he spoke warmly, "but enough of me, it is you we should be giving our attention to."

"Me?"

"Yes my dear, today is yours!"

"Mr.B?" she said, slightly confused.

"Now, now Nellie, you can't tell me you've forgotten.. here," he spoke excitedly, smiling as he passed her a small, wrapped box, "Happy birthday, Nellie!"

"Oh Mr.B," she started breathlessly, "you remembered!"

"Of course my dear, how could I not?"

"Oh! You shouldn't have!" she said, glancing excitedly at the gift. He only smiled, his eyes shining.

She tugged at the crimson ribbon, pulling the neat bow apart. He stood over her as she tore at the silver paper, revealing a small box. She opened the box, her eyes wide in anticipation. She smiled as she saw her emerald green reflection. Standing over her shoulder he beamed back, seeing her happy reflection. He could tell she liked it from the thrilled expression that danced in her eyes. He was glad, it had taken hours to find a necklace just right for Nellie.

"Mr. Barker-" she started.

"Benjamin, please!" he insisted.

"Benjamin then, you really shouldn't have!"

"Oh but how could I resist?" he started, gesturing towards her outfit, "with such a fine array of clothing to match, Nellie, how is it that you do not own a single necklace to compliment your beautiful eyes?"

Mrs. Lovett started to object to such lavish compliments, but he would not let her speak.

"You ought to see yourself sometimes Nellie, you're not too hard on the eye and I don't care how modest you want to be about it!"

He spoke jestingly, and she smiled back at him, his generous compliments warming her heart to the happiest it had ever been.

"It's lovely, thank you Ben."

"You're welcome of course, happy birthday," he spoke warmly, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

She blushed furiously, the sensation of his lips on her cheek something she had only ever dreamed of. She felt the wave of heat rise to her face, hoping that in the dim light he wouldn't notice her now crimson cheeks. She stayed silent, not trusting herself to speak. He placed his hand softly on her shoulder.

"There you see, now you can think of me everyday when you see the necklace!" he said teasing, unaware of how dangerously close he was to the truth. She laughed at his attempt of a joke: she hardly needed a necklace to remind her of him, he scarcely ever left her mind.

"Come now," he spoke, interrupting her thoughts, "lets put it on together."

Together. She glowed as he spoke to her. She loved how that word sounded from his lips. Just her and him, him and her, Benjamin and Nellie. Just like she dreamt it to be. Just like it was supposed to be…

Interrupting her thoughts came a loud yell.

"Ben! Ben!"

Lorraine, Lucy's best friend, ran into the room, quite out of breath.

"What is it?" he turned to the doorway, instantly forgetting Nellie, "is Lucy alright?"

"She-, her-, the-, I-," she paused still catching her breath, "the baby-, it's-, she's-,"

Benjamin's face took on an infuriatingly pained look at Lorraine's pauses, desperately needing information.

"She's in labour!" she finally managed to spit out.

"Oh good God," he squeeked, overjoyed, excited, and suddenly nervous. He was about to be a father! He started to run towards the door, but remembering Nellie, he turned back to her.

"You'll be alright on your own?"

She nodded, and he gave her a thankful smile.

"Good-"she started, but he was gone before she could continue.

She watched from the window as he raced outside to the carriage where his wife was already seated.

"Luck" she murmured to herself, finishing what he hadn't heard.

Nellie sighed as she watched the, drive away. She'd be alright on her own, she always was.

Mrs. Lovett smiled weakly: it wasn't as though she'd ever had a choice. She yelped as a sharp pain shot through her, wakening her from her daze. The pendant had chipped in its fall, and she glanced, annoyed, at where the sharp edge had pierced her skin. She watched silently as the ruby drop slid down her pale finger. Shaking her head she wiped the blood on her work stained dress, raising the pendant to her neck. Standing and heading for her shop, she fastened it with a sigh. She had worn it for seventeen years, and, chipped or not, she wasn't about to give it up.