Fleet Street's Nemesis // Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Cora - 21

Im so sorry that I havent updated. This is the last chapter, I think. So dont worry about super late updates anymore. Thank you for staying, if you did! I hope you liked it, thank you :)

     Seven months. Seven months pregnant and all I seem to do is lie around but have the overwhelming sensation of wanting to do something! Nightmares were more often, frequently they were about Micheal... The last man I ever wanted to think about. Johanna brought me tea nearly every morning and sat with me as we talked about the news paper, etc.
     My head hung back against the headboard of my bed and I yawned.
     "I cannot sit here any longer." I say and shuffle in my blanket.
     Johanna, who was sitting next to me in a chair, scrambled up to help me out of bed.
     "I'm not disabled, Jo, you don't have to treat me like I am." I grumbled in annoyance. I don't like people helping me and I can't do anything about it.
     "Mum, you are pregnant, I can't sit around and watch you struggle." She helped me down and helped put my robe on.
     "Thank you sweetheart. But really, I'm fine. I do have one question though," she looked up, prompting me to continue. "Where is my husband?"
     "Oh, he's out. Somewhere."
     My face scrunched up when my feet walked on the cold wood floor to the door with Johanna. "Where?"
     "I don't know, actually."
     "That's very surprising."
     "Yes, but Anthony left with him."
     "Almost less surprising."
     I laughed a little with Johanna as we went into the kitchen.
     "Where is Lily-Rose?" I ask once I realized the baby wasn't at her mother's side.
     "I think Toby's playing with her." Johanna said and started to organize the items on the counter. I think it was a weird habit she had.
     I nod and peered around the corner to see if I could have a view out the window and into the front yard. Sure enough, Toby was holding Lily's hands, and 'dancing' while sitting on the grass. I smiled warmly and turned back to Johanna.
     "I wonder what Sweeney and Anthony are doing. out. and together."
     "It's not that crazy, they are family."
     "Yeah, by marriage. Those boys worry me sometimes. Do you know what they planned together a year or so ago? Fricken masterminds when they're together."
     "I'm flattered." A familiar male voice said from the doorway.
     "Anthony, you're home, do you want something to eat?" Johanna said and Anthony walked into the kitchen.
     "No, thank you, love." He kissed her cheek and sat next to me.
     "Where's Sweeney?" I ask and turn to the man.
     "Probably in your room."
     I nod and shift in my seat, folding my hands on my stomach.
     "So what were you guys doing out?" Johanna asks and finishes her organizing.
     "Just shopping."
     "For?"
     "Stuff."
     I roll my eyes and Johanna does the same. We just sit for a while in silence until Toby comes in with Lily-Rose on his hip.
     "Hello." He says and I notice his finger in Lily's small hand.
     "Hi love. What would you like for dinner so I can start cooking?" I say and stand up.
     "No, Audrey, it is my turn to cook tonight." Johanna says.
     "Oh get off it Johanna. Just because I'm carrying another human in my body doesn't mean I can't do a simple thing like cooking." I say and push my chair in.
     "You're right, you can. But, I won't let you." My husband says, coming from around the corner, putting a hand on my shoulder before walking to the stove. "I'll cook, Johanna, go relax, you too, Audrey." He gave me a pointed look.
     I frowned and turned to Toby. "Are you letting them get away with this? My cooking is your favorite."
     "Sorry, mum."
     "Great, everyones against me now. Johanna, grab Lily, we're having a girls night." I say and walk out of the room, heading to Lily-Rose's nursery.
     "This woman will be the death of me."
     "Damn right I will!"

     Me, Johanna, and Lily-Rose sat in a circle on said babies floor. Johanna stretched her arms and handed Lily her toy that she threw previously.
     "Lily stop throwing your toys if you want to keep them." Johanna says and rubs her eyes.
     I snicker and braid a doll's hair. "They girl can do whatever she wants."
     "Sounds like someone I know..."
     "Hey!" I swat her with the doll.
     "Ouch. Stop it." She hits me back.
     This continues until Lily joins in and hits Johanna with her tiny fist.
     Johanna gasps. "Lily-Rose, we do not hit people!"
Lily doesn't understand but notices her mother's hard tone. She immediately stops and goes back to playing with her blocks.
     I snicker, "Cute."
     "No, not cute, she needs to learn to not hurt people." Johanna said with her arms crossed but quickly broke that facade with laughter.
     I laugh with her and lay back onto the floor. "Ow!" I exclaimed when my head hit the crib. I rub my head and make eye contact with Johanna before laughing harder. She laughs more. Lily didn't know what we were laughing at but joined in anyway with her sweet giggles. Johanna laid down next to me and brushes her fingers through her dolls hair.
     This was nice, peaceful. Just me and my girls. We calm down and I look at my daughter.
     "This was a bad idea,"
     "What?"
     "Lying on the floor, now I cant get back up."
     I struggled with my stomach and I rolled to help myself up. Johanna snickered.
     "Help me please."

     Two months later I have a baby girl. I name her Cora. She had messy blonde hair and muddy brown eyes. I know that hair... It wasn't mine, or my husbands. I let out a sob when I saw her for the first time. I'm reminded of the man I killed and once loved, Micheal. He got me that once, and he'll be kept alive with my daughter. She may not be the baby of the man I love, but she's still my daughter. I hold her tight and stroke her wavy hair. Sweeney knows, I had a feeling he always knew... ever since I showed up on their doorstep with cuts and bruises... I've been carrying Cora with me.
     I sit down onto my bed gingerly and carry Cora with me. Sweeney sits next to me and holds her little hand.
     "She's yours. Maybe not by blood, but she'll always be your daughter." I say and smile kindly to my husband.
     He smiles slightly back and wiggles her fingers around.
"Cora Isabelle Todd."

Ah! Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot! This book took a while to get through for me because of just the timing. But I hope it went smoothly for you! I dont plan on continuing this story but if I get inspired I might write some extras or something. Thank you!