Sorry this took forever, but I've worked really hard on this. I hope this is up to snuff with everyone's hopes, and I would appreciate reviews on this like never before. Please, please, please review this for me! I could end it here, but I do have something else i could introduce...anyway, enjoy!

Benjamin inhaled deeply through his nose, held his breath momentarily, and let it out in a great gust as he stared at his dapper reflection in the mirror. Today was the day. It had all lead up to this; his wedding day to Eleanor Lovett. His black, midnight-hued pinstripe suit was pressed to perfection, his ebony satin vest pristinely fastened and smooth, his neck tie hung just so, his shoes reflected with a dark radiance, and through all of the darkness, a white shirt could be seen. He turned to Toby to bring him up to snuff. Toby wore an ivory ensemble with a gray-silver colored satin vest, tie and black shoes which shone every bit as bright as Mr. Todd's. Anthony wore the same outfit. Ben brought the heel of his hand up to his mouth and licked the length of it all the way to his fingertips. He then proceeded in using it to fix Toby's hair into a prominent side-part.

"Stop it!" The child complained as he batted away at the strong hands upon his head while Anthony sniggered.

"Quit it boy! Everything has to be absolutely perfect." Ben once again ran his hands over Toby's head, smoothing away any fly-aways.

He began to wash his hands in the basin on a small table in his room; Nellie had taken the capacious upper room for her dressing space. After making sure that the boys' hands too were clean, he picked up three roses: two were white, the other a deep crimson. He cut the stems off, and pinned the light ones to Anthony and Toby's lapels, and the scarlet one to his own. After a quick peek in the mirror, and a slight tweaking of the position of his neck tie, Ben and the lads were off.

--Simultaneously--

Nellie watched her reflection as Johanna fiddled with the hem of her dress. It was everything she had imagined and more. She had decided on a different dress than her original one. On the way out of her friend's shop that day, this beauty had caught her eye, and now here she stood wearing it. It was a snowy white and ivory taffeta gown. The a-line silhouette complimented her nicely, and the five layers of material that comprised her skirt and train only adorned her figure more. Each layer alternated between lace, beading, and fine pleats. The boned bodice of the gown was bright and pallid satin that showed off her tiny waist, and came to a lovely open sweetheart neckline. Two thick straps of beaded lace held the exquisite gown in place. Her veil sat atop her head based upon a small slivery tiara, and flared out as it went down to her middle back, coming to a wide point at the end. Its edges were decorated with the same lace and beading as the straps of her dress. Her auburn tresses looked tame, for once, and cascaded down in silky curls. As Johanna finished, she helped her friend down from her perch. Nellie picked up her dress as she stepped down, and stopped to admire her delicate footwear. The white shoes had moderately tall, skinny heels, and a rounded, closed toe. A silver bow festooned the top of each. No jewelry was necessary, her dress alone would cost weeks of earnings from the pie shop. She shifted her gaze to pretty little Johanna. Johanna wore a ruby colored dress. The neckline, bodice, and straps were similar to her own, but the skirt portion flared like a petite ball gown at Johanna's hip, and was beaded in an all over pattern of silvers and black. A beautiful hoary petticoat peeked out from underneath and her shoes bore the same hue as the dress. Her yellow hair was curled 

at the bottoms, and just the top portion was drawn back into a jeweled pin. Both her ice blue and Nellie's russet eyes began to well with tears.

"You look stunning." They said concurrently to one another before fanning their faces lightly while looking up to the heavens, and leaving the room.

There were not any chairs set up, because the only attendants were Johanna, Anthony, and Toby, and they were all participants. An isle of red went from the back doorway, down the porch stairs, and out into the sand where an eager Benjamin waited with the priest.

First, out came Anthony. He walked with a wide grin on his face all the way to the groom's side, and then patted him twice on the shoulder. Next came, Johanna. She had to act as a flower girl as well, and scattered white rose pedals over the crimson walkway before coming to stand on the opposite side of the aisle from Ben. After a moment, she inhaled deeply and began a remarkable vocalization of 'Canon in D'. Soon, Toby appeared with a glowing Nellie. Benjamin nearly fell over, he was in such awe of his love's beauty, the recollection of breathing had escaped him. He had never seen either of them so happy. Toby walked beaming, his chest puffed out a bit, so proud to have his mum at his arm. And then there was darling Nellie, her face shining bright with her smile. When they finally reached the destination, Toby let his dear mother go to join Mr. Todd, for whom he had recently acquired a tad more respect, and it began.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of God and this company to join Benjamin and Eleanor in the holy bonds of matrimony…"

The ceremony was simple and sweet. Johanna provided the only music alongside the cries of the gulls and the crashing waves. When it came time for the vows, all were silent.

"Do you Benjamin take this woman whose hand you now hold, to be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honor and protect her: to forsake all others for her sake; to cleave unto her, and her only, until death shall part you?

"I do." A smile toyed with the corners of his mouth

"Do you Eleanor, take this man who now holds your hand, to be your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honor, and protect him, to forsake all others for his sake; to cleave unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall part you? "

"I do." Her lower lip trembled a bit as her eyes filled with her emotion.

Benjamin, repeat after me: I, Benjamin, take thee, Eleanor be my wedded wife...to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better or worse...for richer, for poorer…in sickness and in health...'till death do us part...and thereto I plight my troth."

He did so, and it was Nellie's turn. It became harder for her to speak.

"Repeat after me: I, Eleanor take thee, Benjamin to be my wedded husband...to have and to hold…from this day forward...for better, for worse...or richer, for poorer...in sickness and in health...'till death do us part...and thereto I plight you my troth."

She did so, her voice cracking once or twice along the way. The priest spoke again.

"Benjamin, what pledge do you give to Eleanor

"A ring." He proudly stated.

"And this Ring, do you give to Eleanor as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish her, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to her the vows of a husband? Do you?"

"I do." Pride was still evident in his tone.

"Benjamin, as you place this ring on Eleanor's finger, please repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow..." And her eyes let thin trails of tears make their way down her porcelain cheeks and a beautiful silver ring with a single ruby slid onto her hand.

"Eleanor, what pledge to you give Benjamin?"

"A ring." She proclaimed voice still shaky."

"And this ring, do you give to him as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish him, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to him the vows of a wife? Do you?"

"I do." Nellie said in a stronger tone overflowing with adoration.

"Eleanor, as you place this ring on Benjamin's finger, please repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed: and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow..." Ben's chest swelled up with delight and a broad smile crossed his face as Nellie glided a strong silver band onto his finger.

"You may kiss your bride."

Nellie and Ben at leaned into each other's arms engaging in a passionate kiss. Anthony smiled, Johanna sighed like an idealist hopeless romantic, and Toby turned away trying not to watch.

When they came apart, the old wrinkled priest looked at the couple with elation, and held his head up a bit higher while speaking to the wedding party.

"May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Todd!"

Ben twirled Nellie around once, and her head flew backwards with laughter. After his distinguished turn, he scooped her up and carried her down the aisle and back into their home. Toby started to strut after them back to the house, but his collar was promptly caught by an intelligent Anthony, who knew that Toby would not want to be in the house for the remainder of the day and evening. He and Johanna took the boy back to their residence and kept him until the following day, but Johanna couldn't help but to look back as they were walking away, and shed a joyful tear for the beautiful pair.

As Ben reached the doorway, he set down his bride, and stopped her for a moment. He pulled a tidy, new, crimson-hued handkerchief from his pocket. He folded it over once or twice, and lovingly positioned it over her eyes so she could not see. A smirk played across his lips as he held the ends tightly behind her head as he guided her through the door, and into the dining space.

"Ben, what on earth are you doing?" Nellie giggled trying to pry away the ruby landscape before her, but Benjamin's hand was stiff.

"Good things come to those who can wait, my pet." He whispered. Antony had scampered inside to finish up the scenery. Once he was gone, Ben swiftly removed the cloth from her gaze.

When she could finally see again, her vision was provoked with tears once more. Red rose pedals covered the entirety of the dining area, and a candelabrum with ivory candles was centered on the table. The best china and silver they owned was set to perfection and a delicious meal awaited them accompanied by red wine. Nellie was brought back to earth a bit by her husband who had pulled out her chair for her.

They chatted for a long while, and ate their supper perfectly contented. They laughed, Nellie (almost) cried, and both were inexplicably blissful. It was perfect. Their seaside wedding had been devised, but what happened mealtime? Toby would never know, and Neither Ben or Nellie would tell.

Well, that's it! Hope you liked it! Also, please check out the poll on my profile.

I just saw Sweeney Todd on NATIONAL TOUR in Chicago on Saturday, and it was beautiful. sigh just thought I'd tell you guys.

--ShadowedElegance