Thank you for the reviews! And look, I have more for you! I don't think this story will be too long, maybe two or three more chapters...

Anyway, I own absolutely nothing, as always.


Mary opens her mouth to speak and then closes it. She's terribly unsure of herself. How is she supposed to talk to the man she loves when she's a complete stranger to him?

"I…" she starts but then gives in to her first instinct. "Excuse me," she says and rushes out of the room.

"Woah, woah!" Uncle Albert exclaims in his funny American way when she runs into him and nearly pushes him over. He grabs her arms both to steady himself and to stop her. "Slow down, slow down, my dear! Where's the fire?"

Mary takes a shaky breath to compose herself. "I'm fine, I assure you. Please release me."

Uncle Albert declines to do so and studies her face. "Sadness, fear, anger…" he mutters to himself. Then he frowns and says to her, "I'm seeing all of those things, but not one ounce of fine, Mary Poppins."

She gives him a tight-lipped smile. "It seems that Bert has forgotten nearly five decades of friendship, that's all. But I am fine."

Uncle Albert spends about one millisecond looking conflicted before wrapping her up in his arms. She stiffens—she's used to physical contact from her charges and Bert, of course, but never with anyone else. "Oh, my dear," he comforts her, tears rolling freely down his face. "Oh, my poor dear."

Most people would find his outburst silly and rather self-centered, but Mary is happy to have something she can focus on. "There, there," she says, pulling out her handkerchief. "Calm yourself, Uncle Albert. Tears do no one any good."

"It's just… it's so sad!" he wails.

"Yes, it is rather unpleasant, isn't it?"

"But you love each other! Oh, it's just so sad. So sad."

Mary leads Uncle Albert to a nearby chair and sits him down. She appreciates the opportunity for something to do. "Just sit here. I'll see if I can't find you a nice cup of tea."

When she returns with the promised beverage, he's calmed down. "Oh my, I do apologize," he says.

"Nonsense," she waves away his apology as she hands him the cup. "Now drink. But do so carefully, it's rather hot."

Uncle Albert sips his tea and Mary keeps him company, trying her best not to think. Finally, he places his cup down and stands. "I suppose I should go see him. Are you going to come with me?"

"Oh no, I don't know that it's a good idea," she demurs.

"Mary Poppins, this isn't like you at all!" Uncle Albert insists. "You must come with me! I insist."

She sighs. "Very well then. Come along."

The pair returns to Bert's hospital room. Uncle Albert pushes through the door without fear, but Mary hesitates in the doorway. The nurse from earlier is bustling about the room, but Uncle Albert ignores her and heads straight for the bed.

"Uncle Albert!" Bert exclaims happily. "Good t' see you."

Mary tries not to make any noise to express her anguish but she feels her fists tighten and her jaw clench. He remembers Uncle Albert, but not her?

"Bert, m'boy, I'm just so glad to see you awake!" Albert exclaims.

"Can't say I'm complainin' about it!" Bert responds. He looks up and sees Mary in the door. He smiles shyly. "'ello again, miss."

The nurse frowns. "Mr. Alfred, did you just call her miss?"

"Er… yes?"

"Mr. Alfred, don't you remember your wife?"

You could hear a pin drop in that room. Mary whips her head to turn and look at the nurse making such a ridiculous comment. Uncle Albert tries to stifle giggles. But Bert… Bert looks as if his world has fallen apart in a single moment. That actually comforts Mary—her Bert, the sweet, caring, considerate man she fell in love with, is still there and horrified at the idea that he might have forgotten his wife.

"My… my wife?" he asks quietly.

"Don't be silly," Mary speaks up, trying to keep her voice strong. She turns to the nurse. "We aren't married."

The nurse has the good sense to blush. "Oh, I… I'm so sorry. I just assumed… when you were here… I'm sorry."

She rushes out of the room. Mary thinks about running after her to apologize, but Bert's voice stops her. "So we're not…"

"No, no, m'boy," Uncle Albert says. "But you've been in love with her as far as anybody can remember!"

"Uncle Albert!" she chides.

"Is that… is that true?" Bert asks her.

For once in her life, Mary Poppins finds herself without a quick response. "I… well…" she blushes. "I suppose that it isn't inaccurate."

She finds herself uncomfortable under his gaze for the first time in memory. She knows he's working his hardest to try and remember her, but she can't deal with the emptiness in his eyes. "I'm rather parched," she croaks. "Would anyone else like something to drink?" When no one responds, she blindly pushes her way out of the room and rushes to find a deserted corner of the hospital. When she manages to find an empty room, she sits down and starts to cry softly. Just a few tears escape her eyes, no hysterical sobs. Even now, Mary Poppins will not make a scene. After a few minutes, she collects herself.

She can do this, she thinks. The trick is to just keep calm and keep moving. She walks back to Bert's room and is about to enter when she overhears Uncle Albert ask, "M'boy, you don't remember anything about her?"

Bert is silent for a long time. Mary debates announcing her presence, but right before she does so, Bert speaks up. "I look at 'er," he admits, "an' I feel 'urt, but I don't know why. But that's all I know."

She bites her lip hard enough to draw blood. Of course she knew that when she refused to marry him she had hurt him. That was unavoidable. But he had been so kind and so himself that she hadn't realized just how deeply the wound had run.

"Nonsense," Uncle Albert exclaims. "Mary Poppins would never do anything to hurt anybody! Especially not you, Bert. She loves you. Oh, you just have to remember her! You just have to."

Mary enters the room before Uncle Albert can go any further. "Uncle Albert, don't you think we might allow Bert some rest?" she suggests gently.

"Oh, yes, yes," Uncle Albert agrees.

"You'll come back though?" Bert speaks up, turning a lovely shade of crimson. "Be nice t'ave some company."

Mary meets his eyes, surprised. For one second, she feels as if this might all work out—even if he can't remember her, he still wants her to visit again. "Of course," she promises. "If that's what you'd like."

"I would. Thank you, Miss Poppins."

She nods and guides Uncle Albert out of the room.


I hope you enjoyed it!

-Juli-