30) -

If a stranger was to pass by the Todd residence, they would see what appeared to be a normal family. A family that had left behind their troubles, their worries, their past.

This family, large and so different in appearances, was enjoying the warm summer sun on the beach directly outside the porch of their home. Laughter and shouting could be heard for ages, but the sound was not unpleasant. Unusual for this particular family, but not unpleasant.

Mrs Eleanor Todd, previously Lovett and better known as Nellie to her friends, thank you very much, sat on the porch next to her husband, Mr Sweeney Todd, while watching her family play in the sand. She and Sweeney married shortly after their arrival to the small seaside town they now lived in, so not to have their relationship frowned upon.

"This is nice, ain't it?" She murmured, digging her bare feet into the sand. "Just sitting 'ere in the sunshine."

Sweeney made a noise of agreement, but was otherwise silent. Nellie smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. She was quite sure she felt his lips brush against the top of her head, but knew he would deny it if she asked.

"Grandma! Grandpa!"

"Todd! Wait for me!"

The sound of young voices made Nellie raise her head; she and Sweeney's grandchildren were running towards them.

"Grandma, look what I found!" Todd Hope announced, holding his hand out. In it, he held a tiny crab.

"Ooh, look at that! Ain't you brave, Todd," Nellie smiled. "I would've been far too scared to 'ave even looked at it."

Todd laughed. "You're silly, Grandma."

"You didn't find it!" His twin sister, Natalie, protested loudly. "I found it!"

"You both found it." Sweeney corrected calmly, diverting an quarrel that was bound to happen should Todd insist that he was the one to find the crab.

Seven years had passed, and in the first of those seven years, Anthony and Johanna had married and produced beautiful twins, each named after a loved one.

Anthony was waiting patiently for his children to return so they could continue searching in the rock pools. He enjoyed nothing more than sharing his knowledge with the twins. Though Todd never seemed very interested, and wanted to jump in the rockpools more than anything, Natalie hung onto his every word. Each night before she would go to bed, she would recite the facts she had been taught to her parents.

"Papa!" Todd yelled, spinning around. "Look what I found!"

"I found it too!"

The twins rushed off, each one still insisting that they were the finder of the small crab. Anthony remained patient with them, crouching down and listening to their story of how the crab was discovered.

"I wish they would stop fighting so." Johanna sighed as she gathered her skirts and took a seat on the porch next to her step-mother.

"They're children, love," Nellie replied. "It's what they do. Remember the fights you and Lily used to 'ave?"

Johanna smiled at the memory. "How could I forget?"

In her early twenties, Johanna had grown into a beautiful young woman and a respected member of the community. She was with child for the second time, the bump barely noticable underneath her dress.

"'Ave you and Anthony decided on a name yet?" Nellie asked as Johanna instinctively placed a hand over her stomach.

"No, not yet," Johanna frowned. "I think he would rather like it if we named the baby James if it is a boy."

"What would you like?"

"If it is a girl, I intend to name her Lucy."

Sweeney's eyes met Johanna's. "She would like that."

Yes, Lucy would be honoured should her grandchild be named after herself, just as Sweeney was honoured his grandson was named after him, in a manner of speaking.

It had been a terrible arguement between Sweeney and Johanna at first; she was sure that her son should be named Benjamin, but Sweeney refused to let her honour him in a way that brought up the past.

"Lucy Abigail, I believe," Johanna said thoughtfully. "I cannot honour my parents and not my sister, after all."

"Of course not."

Johanna smiled to herself as she directed her gaze on her sister. Not unusually, Abby was sitting with a book on her lap.

The youngest Barker girl had certainly blossomed, just as her sister had. She was no longer fearful and wary, but instead confident and bold. Abby was pleased when she found she was able to speak her mind, and even more so when she found people listened to her.

Like Johanna, Abby was a respected member of the community. Unlike most of the other girls her age, who were training to become housewives and perfect mothers, Abby worked part time in the local bookshop.

"What you reading?"

Abby looked up from her book, smiling as Toby joined her on the blanket she had set out. He had also been playing with the twins.

"Romeo and Juliet." She admitted sheepishly. Toby laughed.

"'Ow many times 'ave you read that?"

"Too many," Abby flicked through the book fondly. "And yet, I still find it is my favourite book."

"Maybe you can read it our children."

Abby beamed; Toby had proposed to her not three months ago, and the young couple were spending plenty of time planning the wedding.

"Of course I will. They shall grow up to be intelligent."

"Just like you."

"'Ey, why did no one tell me we were 'aving a day at the beach?"

Head snapped up at a familiar voice, Nellie standing up.

"Lily!"

Lily Lovett beamed at her mother. "'Ey, Mum."

Immediately, she was pulled into a rib-crushing hug by her mother, shortly followed by Johanna. Lily had followed her dreams, joining a crew the moment she turned seventeen and spending a great amount of years travelling the world.

"Oh Lily, we've missed you!" Johanna said as she and Lily, her best friend and step sister, pulled apart.

"I should bloody well 'ope so!" Lily laughed. "I've missed you too. 'Ey, Anthony!"

"Lily," Anthony and Lily hugged. Over the years, they had been sending letters, growing closer than ever before. Their differences had been put aside. "It is, as always, wonderful to see you again."

"Still talking like a ponce, are you? Oh, 'ello there! You must be Todd and Natalie."

Natalie hid behind her mother, overcome by shyness, but Todd stepped forwards and held his hand out.

"Hello, I'm Todd Hope and I'm six years old." He announced. Lily beamed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr 'Ope. My name is Lily Lovett and I am your aunt, in a manner of speaking."

Todd grinned. "I know. I've heard a lot about you."

"Then 'ow's bout you give me a big 'ug?"

Todd obliged, and was soon followed by Natalie. She was not going to allow her brother to outshine her.

"Hello, Lily." Abby greeted her step sister with a wide smile, stepping forwards to hug her.

"'Ey, you!"

When the hug ended, Lily grabbed Abby's hand and began inspecting the ring.

"Ooh, good taste Toby," She complimented. Toby blushed. "When's the wedding?"

"Not for a while now. We were actually hoping that you would be able to attend."

"N'aw, bless you."

Lily, Johanna and Abby laughed. While Nellie continued to fuss over her daughter, Johanna's attention was caught by Natalie wanting to show her something and Todd insisted that he, Anthony and Toby ought to start playing in the sea because it was so hot.

Sweeney remained sitting on the porch, watching his family in silence. After a moment, Abby joined him.

"You wouldn't believe the things our family has been through by looking at us, would you?" She asked quietly.

"No."

Abby clasped her hands together, resting them on her lap, and joined her father in watching their family.

"But...I suppose that it does not matter anymore, because it is in the past," She continued. "We have left it behind us."

Sweeney nodded in silence. After a moment, he wrapped his arm around his daughter's shoulders, and she leaned into him.

"It was difficult at first, starting a new life, but we have come far." Abby finished firmly.

Yes, it had been difficult.

Sweeney and Nellie's relationship was strained at the best of times; he still found himself unable to even look at her without feeling guilty for betraying Lucy.

Lily's departure hadn't done the family any good either. Many relied on her as - though no one admitted this aloud - a somewhat comic relief, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. Of course, Nellie missed her, making her even more dependent on Sweeney for the love and attention she so craved.

The tension between Sweeney and Anthony was clear for several months also. Though he knew they were happy, the barber could not comprehend Anthony proposing to Johanna so soon.

Toby constantly tried to cheer Abby up when she felt down, but did it in the wrong ways. His heart was in the right place, but her mind wasn't.

"Father?"

Abby stared up at Sweeney inquisitively, and he allowed a small smile to grace his lips as he shook his head.

"I was simply thinking."

"A penny for your thoughts, perhaps?"

"Not today."

Abby laughed. "Tomorrow?"

"Perhaps."

Yes, the family had come far together.

Abby smiled to herself, leaning against her father and watching her family. She hadn't had a nightmare for six years.

All was well.

My cold dark tower seems so bright

I swear it must be heaven's light

Thank you CadyD, Bellatrix Nellie Le-Lovett, babyvfan, The FanFic Critic and Princess Petticoat for reviewing the last chapter. Thank you to anyone and everyone who has reviewed or added this story to their favourites.