Chapter One

Mary Poppins is often known as practically perfect, and as everyone knows, practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking. She had always told herself this when her emotions did the muddling for her. She did it again now as she watched his footsteps wash away in the rain.

She could hardly describe her emotions, unable to speak or breathe. It had all happened too fast. Who knew that at a dash of a second, all her hard work could vanish, no longer being needed by the blessed families of the world?

No more would she have to travel when the winds of nature told her to, or be stuck alone, drifting upon the clouds that carried her away. All because of the tiniest hope, and the mere mention of love. Mary was finally able to unwind the jumbled up cord holding her thoughts of the offer she had just been made. And just as it was pouring still, this had all begun with the rain and the changing course of the wind.

Bert had been holding her hand ever so lightly, as he always did when he danced with her. She melted against his fingertips, as they grazed upon the small of her back. Their feet spoke in rhythm with the leaves rustling about beneath them, until Bert stopped and removed his hand from hers. He smiled down into those practically perfect, icy blue eyes and whispered into her ear, "I've loved you since the day we met, Mary Poppins. And that's the truth."

Mary didn't know what to say. She immediately started to blush rather furiously, her rosy cheeks now a bright vivid shade of red. But she smiled anyway, if not a sad, sort of melancholy smile. "Bert, please. Not before you leave…"

And sentiment showed itself again, as her smile faded and she felt a lump form in her throat. She held it back though, and swallowed it to the pit of her stomach, not allowing herself to show her vulnerability.

Bert had tried to comfort her, but the single drop of rain that landed right on the tip of her nose, suddenly multiplied into thousands. Her face was wet, but only from the rain, not from tears. Bert could only guess it was her heartache that caused such a flurry of a storm.

She remained calm and collected, watching the winds around her shift to a different direction, again, telling her it was almost time to leave. Mary knew she was making this storm happen, and though she looked stable and unmoved, her heart was in pain, and nature took its course of magic from within her own feelings.

Bert grabbed her hand and led her to the gazebo within the park. Once underneath its weak shelter, Bert pulled Mary close to him and held her in his arms. "Oh, Mary. Please, don't be upset, my love. Nothing will change between us while I'm away-"

"Nothing except the wind," she said, letting go and turning her back to him, unable to look at his face. Of course he had forgotten. How could he not forget, being pulled into the sweet mist of love? She knew he was in love with her, and she was sure she loved him back. But what was love when she was constantly being taken away from it? As always, the winds made up her mind for her as they carried her from household to household.

For once, she gave in to her feelings, unable handle all that was happening. Tears welled in her eyes, and gently, one by one, they poured down her cheeks. Thunder rumbled in the background as she let out a sob.

Suddenly she felt that pair of familiar strong hands, draw her close to him. She let herself be less than perfect for once, and allowed this moment to sink in. As she slinked her arms around his neck and held her tear stained face to his chest, Bert began stroking the hair falling from her bun and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Please, don't cry Mary. You know how it hurts me to see you in pain." He wiped away the little tears dripping from her chin. It was no use, however, as they continued to pour. She was silent, but the look on her face expressed more than any sound of hurt could from her lips.

As he held her tightly in his arms, she closed her eyes and pressed her head against his chest, swaying to the rhythm of his heart beat. "I'm so sorry, Bert." Mary said softly, "I've let my feelings get out of control."

A roll of thunder boomed above their heads, and the rain kept on. While her face was still damp, the tears had finally stopped. It was what her heart was thinking that helped keep the storm alive.

She needed Bert to reassure her that his leaving was necessary, and would help them to become the family they had always dreamed about. He seemed to understand this, telling her, "Mary, the money my uncle is giving me to help him out at sea will help us get a house like we've always wanted. A few months won't be long, I promise."

"But a whole year?" She looked up at him as if he didn't understand. "I don't know if I'll be able to wait around for you that long. Bert, what if-"

"What if nothing." Bert paused for a second, then seemed to decide. He began to pull something out of his pocket. "I was going to wait till I got back for this, but Mary, I want to let you know, my love for you won't change, no matter how far I go, or how long we're apart."

And out from his pocket, between his thumb and forefinger, was her ticket to freedom, her life without the wind and the magic. And the children…

With its silver band and diamonds wrapped halfway around it, it's unique beauty and simplicity sparkled between her eyes. "What'ya say, Mary? No more having to say goodbye whenever the winds tell you to, no more of this spell to hold you down. You won't have to be alone anymore, or be isolated by another cloud. I promise that as soon as I come back, we'll get a house of our own and settle down and take care of our own family."

Mary looked at him for a moment or two. She wanted to say yes. That was why she opened her mouth in the first place, but nothing came out. And she didn't even have to time to explain her lack of words either.

The clock tower struck twelve, and made both of them jump. Bert then realized how severely late he was.

"I have to go, Love. Here," he placed the ring into the palm of her hands and closed her fingers over it, almost as if the lack of reply was a positive answer.

Bert lifted Mary's chin and placed his lips against hers. He was soft and gentle, but passionate, and Mary swore she could feel his love for her pass through her own blood.

"I'll miss you, Mary Poppins," he whispered, the words almost ghostly, for when she opened her eyes, he was gone, not even giving her a moment to speak.

And this was where she was now. Ring in hand, she wasn't even sure if she had wanted to stay with him before Bert had asked her to marry him. He had pressed his advantage.

Not only was Mary utterly in a bond, but the winds had now picked up speed, which meant she didn't have very much longer to make her decision.

She could put the ring right on her finger, and watch, for the first time, the trees blowing in a different direction than where she was headed.

Or, she could abandon the ring and travel to a different city to charm different children and do just as she's always done, seeing the faces brighten up at her.

But why should Mary have to wait for him? He had expected, first, for her to wait when they were merely young lovers. Now, he wanted her to wait all by herself, when she didn't have a permanent home of her own, or a family besides uncle Albert. She would, truly, be all by herself, and yes, while nature told her what she must do, it could at least keep her company while floating in the sky to a new family.

Bert said the clouds isolated her. But as she looked up in the sky and the sky looked down at her, she noticed them approaching her and greeting her with open arms, instead of running away.

Mary couldn't wait. She couldn't ignore doing something she loved because of someone who loved her. Her mind was made up, as she opened her umbrella, and was carried off into the skies, the ring sparkling upon the ground.