Disclaimer: I don't own Mary Poppins, not even a little bit.
It was the second Tuesday. Mary's day off. So she spent an hour in front of the mirror doing her hair and her makeup and then got in a Handsome to take her to Kensington Gardens.
For you see, Bert was waiting there for her with a picnic basket full of treats and a checked picnic blanket.
She was greeted with a raise of his cheese cutter hat and a huge grin, Bert loved Tuesdays.
"Oh it is nice to see you Bert," she said sitting across from him on the blanket, "and what have you got for us today?"
"Uncle Albert made us sandwiches with strawberry preserves and a cheesecake."
"Perfect."
"How are things in Baker Street?" Bert asked, handing Mary a sandwich.
"Rather hectic at the moment I'm afraid," she replied, "the boys are really too smart for their own good, but let's not speak of that now, how are you?"
"Oh, you know, pottering along, I actually may have found a new career opportunity."
"Oh dear."
"No this one is for real, a job in an office like a regular gent."
"Well that sounds promising."
"And I was thinking, well, since I will be earning enough to, well, what I mean is, Mary, will you marry me?"
He said his last sentence all in one breath and afterwards had to breathe quiet heavily for a few seconds. Then he took a ring out of his waistcoat pocket.
"This was my mother's ring, oh please Mary, please say you'll marry me, I will make you happy, you know I will."
Mary had a look on her face that was a mix between shock, fear and just a touch of joy.
"But Bert, I don't know if I, I mean, why would you ever want to marry me?
"You deserve to be loved Mary, and not just until the wind changes, forever," said Bert.
"By who?" said Mary.
"Well, by me of course."
"Oh, oh I see."
"Don't you get it Mary? With me you wouldn't have to leave when the wind changed, you could stay for always."
"But what about the children Bert? I couldn't leave the children."
"You wouldn't have to leave the children Mary."
"But then I would still only see you every second Tuesday."
"What I mean is, you could have your own children."
"My own…"
Mary placed a hand on her chest.
"Mary, you can't live your whole life trying to fix other people's; you need to do something for yourself once in a while."
"But Bert, I, I don't know what to say."
"There is a word for that you know, but Mary, you must know how I love you so, how I have always loved you."
"You love me?"
"Of course Mary, always."
Mary looked at her pocket watch, it was time to go. She stood up and brushed off her skirts.
"I must be off Bert, my schedule, you understand."
"But Mary, you never answered my question, will you marry me?"
"Yes, yes I think I would like that."
She turned to leave; Bert couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.
"Wait!" he said, a little too forcefully.
"What?" said Mary, turning back to face him.
"Do you think you could give me, well, a kiss."
"A kiss?"
"Yes, well, that's what folks normally do when they get engaged."
"Oh, I see, ok then."
She put down her umbrella and took a step towards him. Bert stood up and took a step towards her. He took her hand in his and moved his face towards hers, closing his eyes. She mirrored his movements and then something wonderful happened and just like that they were kissing.
Bert slipped the ring onto her delicate finger and his heart felt fit to burst.
Mary lost complete track of time and missed her next appointment, and the best part was, she didn't even care.
