But We Could Get By

Chapter 44

Sweeney couldn't believe everything that had happened. The Judge was finally dead, he had finally gotten his revenge. Along with that, he was finally making the decision to allow himself to be happy with everything he had now. He was going to have a family again, and he was going to spend his life with his beloved Nellie, whom he had finally confessed his love to. They were now sobbing in each other's arms, tears of joy, of course, but sobbing nonetheless. "I'm so sorry, dear." Nellie said. "I don't mean to be such a mess, I'm just so happy!" "Don't worry, I'm a mess too." Sweeney responded. "I suppose we're both a bit of a mess." Nellie said, laughing a little. "I suppose we are." Sweeney replied. "I can't believe this is really happening!" Nellie exclaimed. "I mean, well..." She paused for a moment. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to act so strange, I've just loved you for so long!" "It's alright, dear." Sweeney replied, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "You're adorable." "So are you, love." Nellie said.
   Sweeney let go of her, though he didn't want to. "I suppose we should get rid of the Judge now." He said. "I guess so." Nellie replied, letting go of him. "Should I make a pie, or..." Her voice trailed off. "Just throw him in the oven." Sweeney said. "That's what I told Johanna we'd do." "Alright." Nellie replied. "I'll need your help to carry him." "Of course I'm gonna help you!" Sweeney said, laughing a little. "I wouldn't make you do this on your own." He walked over to where the Judge was lying, and the two of them lifted him up, carrying him to the furnace. He stared for a moment as the Judge burned before finally closing the furnace door. Long ago, Sweeney never would've imagined that he'd be the type of person to do all of this with no remorse, kill a man and then watch him burn. He knew that prison really did change him.
   He felt no guilt for killing Judge Turpin, though deep down he felt as though he had become someone that not even those closest to him could love. In the past, he had wondered if Lucy would've still loved him if she saw who he was now? He wondered how Johanna could still love him? How could she still see him as a kind man and loving father, knowing who he had become? It was even stranger to him that Nellie still loved him. She knew who he once was, and she had seen all of what he had become. Johanna knew what he had planned for Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford, and she had seen him kill before, but she still didn't know everything, he shielded her from the darker parts. She knew he could be violent, but she mostly saw him as a protector against harm, taking desperate measures. Nellie, on the other hand, knew the whole story. She knew pretty much every horrible thing he had done, she knew exactly who he was now, and yet she still loved him, and she even willingly helped him.
   He didn't understand how she could see the terrible ways in which prison had changed him, and still love him. How could she see such darkness, and still want to stand by him through it all? No one in their right mind would've done what she had done for him. She would've been right to give up on him and be disgusted with who he had become, at least that's what he thought. She never gave up on him though, and she was never disgusted. She was always so soft and loving, even in his worst moments. Maybe Nellie Lovett wasn't in her right mind. He supposed that was one of the many things he loved about her. She was close to being just as messed up as him. He loved that she understood him, how easy she was to talk to, be around, and get along with. They could talk for hours and never be bored. They had a similar sense of humor, and always seemed to know how to make each other laugh.
   He loved all the times they had laughed together, and how he never had to worry about possibly startling her with a darker joke, for she would simply respond with another. They were both messed up, but at least they were messed up together. She had been through different things than him, but he knew that she had also been through a lot. She didn't deserve any of the hard times. He hoped that he could help ease the pain, just as she always did for him. "Love?" He heard her say, breaking the silence. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine." He mumbled. "I just want you to know that I'll be here for you through it all." He said. "I want to be your light and your warmth, and heal the pain, just like you've done for me." "Oh Mr. Todd, you've already done that!" Nellie responded, smiling. "You're the light of my life." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "And you're the light of my life."
   He looked around, then glanced at the stairs. "I suppose we should get out of here now." He said. "I've got to clean up my shop." "I can help you!" Nellie suggested. "You don't have to." Sweeney said. "You can join me, though. I wouldn't mind having someone to talk to." "I want to help you." Nellie replied. "Alright, I guess." Sweeney said softly. "I suppose while I'm at it, I should give you my letter now. It's up there somewhere." "Really?" Nellie asked. She had such a bright look in her eyes, how adorable it was. He nodded. "Not too long ago, I was struggling with telling you how I feel." He said. "I wasn't sure what to say, but it all came easy once I started writing it down. That's what that letter is." Nellie gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I couldn't help but hope that maybe it was a love letter." Sweeney held her hand. "I could write you so many love letters if given the chance." "Feel free to do so." Nellie replied, giggling. "But also feel free to tell me how you feel out loud. I just love knowing that you love me." She kissed his cheek again. "I love you." He gently squeezed her hand. "I love you too."