A Life Worth Living
Chapter Three
"Where's daddy, sweetheart? Hmmm? Where do you think daddy could've gotten to?" Mary cooed as she held Evelyn at eye level.
In response, her daughter wriggled almost excitably and gave Mary a toothless smile. Evelyn's blue eyes sparkled in the last beams of sunlight that broke through the kitchen window; Mary smiled back endearingly and her eyes seemed to be filled with all the love in the world. Mary could see so much of Bert in her daughter's face and it warmed her heart to no end. She rubbed the tip of her nose lightly against Evelyn's.
"Do you think daddy's been silly and made himself late? Or maybe he's managed to get lost whilst trying to take a short cut home…again" the again was more for herself rather than Evelyn – who was smiling brightly again.
"Oh, aren't you just the most beautiful girl in the whole of England?" she asked lovingly.
"I think you'll find that she's the most beautiful girl in the 'ole world!" came a voice from the front door – Bert, of course, "Along with 'er mother, of course!" he added as he stepped further into the kitchen before kissing the foreheads of both his wife and daughter.
"I was beginning to wonder about you, what on earth kept you so long?" Mary asked – but not with any negativity, in fact, she was still smiling as if the whole world was on her side.
"Well, I was on my way 'ome when I bumped into a couple of familiar faces" he said mysteriously – an almost childish smile pulling at his lips.
"Oh really? And who might they have been?"
"None other than Jane and Michael Banks!"
Mary felt her heart skip and Evelyn began to grab a few strands of her mother's hair – or, at least tried to. It had been just under five months since Evelyn was born and Mary – regrettably hadn't seen the Banks family since they visited mere weeks after she'd had Evelyn. She had wanted to visit, but she just supposed that she would always be imposing. The Banks family had been on her mind more and more recently and mostly she was filled with guilt that she had been a bit of a stranger to them – especially when she knew how Jane and Michael felt about her – but both Mary and Bert had been so swept up in their own life that the time just seemed to slip away from them; one month turned into two, then into three…and before they knew it, it had been simply too long. But seeing as they had a baby daughter, surely they could be forgiven?
"Oh, I do miss them both so much…how are they?"
"They're both wonderful, they still miss you, of course, and 'ad a lot of questions, but they were glad to 'ear that we're all doin' well"
"It's been far too long since we last saw the Banks family…" Mary all but muttered – a strong hint of sadness in her voice.
"It has…" he agreed, "…but, they told me somethin' quite interesting" he toyed.
"And are you going to share this information?"
"But, of course…they told me that there's gonna be a new addition to the Banks family!" he said with a beam.
Mary's eyes sprang open and it took her a few moments to fully process what she'd just heard, but once it sank it, a ridiculous smile spread across her perfect features.
"You mean…?"
"Uh-huh, Mrs Banks is expecting!"
"Oh, well that's just wonderful…now we have to go and visit them!" Mary sang.
"I'll say! We're overdue for a visit as it is"
"How do Jane and Michael feel about it?"
"Well, Jane seemed like she was about t' burst with excitement…Michael was a bit more sceptical" he explained with a slight chuckle.
"Oh?"
"I don't think 'e wants another girl runnin' around the 'ouse!"
Mary chuckled.
"I told 'im that 'e could easily end up with a baby brother, but he just seems to 'ave this sense of foreboding that a sister is comin' 'is way"
"He'll adapt, I'm sure…still, at least Jane is excited"
"I think excited in an understatement, you couldn't stop that girl from talkin' about it if 'er life depended on it!"
"Their new arrival won't be much younger than Evelyn" Mary commented with a warm smile.
"Well, 'ow about that…" he took Evelyn from Mary's arms, "…what d'ya think about that, sweet'eart? Are you gonna be friends with the new Banks child?"
His four-month-old daughter stared at him cluelessly and Mary couldn't help but giggle.
"You'll come 'round to the idea" Bert joked.
He looked over at Mary and found her eyes fixed on nothing in particular – her mind in a totally different world.
"Mary? Yoo-hoo, you awake?" he teased as he brought her back into the present.
"Sorry, Bert, what were you saying?"
"Nothin', but I wanted t' make sure that yer mind 'adn't wandered off too far!" he laughed.
"I do apologise" a small smile graced her lips.
"What 'ad you so deep in thought?"
Mary was quiet for a few seconds.
"Do you remember when the Banks family came to visit us when Evelyn was born?"
"Uh-huh" Bert commented – not sure as to where she was going with her point.
"Do you remember that when they left Winifred turned to me and said –"
"—that if you ever felt like lookin' for work, that you should keep 'em in mind"
"Precisely…you know, I think they've been planning on having another child for quite some time" Mary speculated.
"Y' do?"
She nodded.
"Why else do you think she would've said that?"
Bert shrugged as best as he could – Evelyn weighed his arms down somewhat.
"Dunno…"
"I don't think she would've suggested it purely for Jane and Michael's benefit, not when they were managing fine without me…they never needed me to return, they only wanted me because…they missed me" her voice was quieter on those last few words.
"You know, love, I think you might just 'ave 'it the nail on the 'ead" he beamed.
"Of course I have, darling" she teased.
"So…do y' think you'll go back an' work for them?"
Mary froze slightly. She hadn't planned on having this conversation with Bert, not after they fought the last time. But Bert just continued to give her that warm smile that she loved so much.
"I'm not sure…" she said quietly…and truthfully.
"Mary, you don't 'ave anythin' t' feel guilty about, I know 'ow much you enjoy bein' a mother, but I also know 'ow much you loved bein' a nanny an' wanting to go back to that doesn't make you any less of a mother, nor does it mean that you love me or Evelyn any less…it just means that you're meant for so much more than simply bein' a housewife" he said softly.
"You always know just what to say, don't you?"
"Of course!" he said cheekily before kissing Mary's forehead.
Evelyn gargled in perceived disapproval.
"Don't you start that again!" Bert laughed.
"There is a part of me that really does want to return to work, not just because of the Banks family, but because I do miss being a nanny…but, oh, there would be just so much to sort out with Evelyn, I mean, who knows if it would even be possible and I would just feel like I was abandoning her –"
"—Mary, I just said that you 'ave nothin' to feel guilty about…and you wouldn't be abandoning 'er, you'd just be goin' to work so that you can 'elp provide for 'er…it's no different to what I do" he reasoned.
Mary sighed contently.
"Alright, if Mrs Banks asks me I'll consider it, but I won't promise her anything, there would be a lot to think about and I'm going to put the well-being of my family before anyone else's"
Bert lightly caressed her cheek.
"You, my dear, are simply wonderous"
0oooooooooooooooooo0
"Mary! Bert! –" Winifred practically sang as she opened the door, "—what a surprise!"
"Good afternoon, Winifred…" Mary greeted as Bert tipped his cap, "…we thought we stop by for a visit since it's been far too long since we last saw each other"
"Oh, you're quite right…please do come in, Ellen has just made a fresh pot of tea"
Mary and Bert stepped gratefully into number seventeen – Evelyn wriggling happily in Mary's arms as they did so.
"Hello, sweetheart" Winifred cooed.
"Well, to what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" George greeted brightly as they met him in the drawing room.
But before an answer could be given, Jane and Michael came bolting into the room.
"Mary Poppins! Bert!" they cheered – almost in unison.
"Hello, you two" Mary greeted – sounding brighter than ever.
Jane and Michael wrapped their arms around Mary and she hugged them back as best she could. They greeted Bert in the same loving fashion.
"It's been so long since we last saw you" Jane commented.
"It has, and I do apologise for that"
"Did you come to see us?" Michael asked – almost with pride.
"Partly…" Bert began, "…but we also came 'ere to see yer mum an' dad"
Mr and Mrs Banks looked at him quizzically.
"We came here to congratulate you" Mary explained as a ridiculous smile spread across her features.
"Congratulate us?" Mrs Banks ask – but there was a gleam of her excitement in her eyes.
Bert smirked.
"Jane an' Michael may 'ave let slip some news" he hinted.
George and Winifred smiled and sighed.
"You two just can't keep a secret, can you?" Winifred teased her children.
"Sorry" Jane giggled.
"Congratulations to you both!" Mary chirped.
"Yeah, congratulations!" Bert echoed.
"Thank you very much…I do hope you don't think we're copying you!" Winifred laughed.
"Well, if you we're, we'd take it as a compliment" Bert replied.
Of course, no one would ever consciously copy their actions when it came to the circumstances surrounding Mary's pregnancy. But they were both happier now than they'd ever been and that was all that mattered to them.
"So 'ow long 'ave you known? Jane and Michael didn't tell me too much"
"Well I'm about three months along, but we've known for a little while, we just wanted to wait before we said anything to anyone"
"So, what brought on the decision to 'ave another?" Bert inquired innocently enough.
The tiniest of blushes played on Winifred's cheeks.
"We just ended up reliving some old memories…you both may have had some influence on that" she giggled.
"In that case, do forgive us for indirectly giving you another mouth to feed!" Mary joked.
She turned to Jane and Michael as Bert took Evelyn from her arms and cuddled her. Winifred couldn't resist and was soon by his side – she seemed to be lost in Evelyn's smile.
"So, how do you two feel about having a younger sibling on the way?" she asked cheerfully.
"I'm so excited!" Jane announced, "I hope we get a younger sister!"
"I don't" Michael mumbled.
"Please don't mumble, Michael, it's most unpleasant"
He didn't respond.
"Why don't you want a sister, Michael?"
"Because then I'll be the only boy" he explained – his argument not making any sense.
Mary gave a small throaty chuckle.
"Well, you and Jane get along well, don't you?"
"…yes"
"So why would it be any different if you had another sister?"
He shrugged.
"Boys and girls are different, they usually like different things and behave in different ways, but one thing you should always remember is that difference is good. Imagine how boring everything would be if we were all exactly the same…"
Michael became thoughtful as Mary continued,
"…we must always remember to be ourselves and to not let other people decide how we should act. If we like something then we should embrace it, if we feel a certain way then we should voice it –"
"- Like mother does with her campaign?" Jane asked.
"Exactly, Jane! Imagine if your mother and her friends never voiced their opinions…sure, women still aren't allowed to vote, but they're the ones who'll make it happen one day…and look at me, I'm different from other people, but I don't let that stop me, do I?"
The children shook their heads.
"I embrace my differences and I use them to help others, I wouldn't be able to do that if I were exactly the same as everyone else…"
She looked over at Bert for a moment and smiled warmly as he – along with Mr and Mrs Banks – fussed over Evelyn.
"And just look at Bert and I, we seem like very different people, but that hasn't stopped us from…" she hesitated slightly, "…that hasn't stopped us from doing what we want in life, has it?"
She paused.
"Difference is good…always be true to yourself, you might not understand it now, but you will when you're older, so I never want you to forget it, okay?"
"Okay, Mary Poppins" they said sweetly.
The rest of their visit was much of the same. Mary and Bert left a short while after and as they left, Winifred looked out of the window just in time to watch as Bert captured his wife's lips with his own. George came up behind her and slipped an arm around her shoulder.
"Why didn't you talk to them about it?" he asked quietly.
Winifred shook her head.
"It wasn't the right time" she said quietly.
"Do you still think it's a good idea?"
"Yes, I do…or at least I think I do…"
"Take some time to think it over…and you know you've got nothing to worry about"
"I know…but I suppose I can't help but feel a little guilty" she all but whispered.
"There's no need, my dear…I'm sure that - at the very least – they'll be flattered by the offer" George reassured her.
"I hope so"
0oooooooooooooooo0
"Bert!" Mary giggled against the pillow as he tickled her thigh.
She attempted to wriggle away from his caresses, but she just felt him pull her closer and bury his lips into the crook of her neck. She giggled again but couldn't deny that she adored the feeling of his kisses and that she was practically aching for him. His kisses were electric and his lips felt like the softest satin and the wildest flame all rolled into one.
"Bert you're such a scamp!"
"Am I really?" he whispered huskily against her neck – his hand still tickling her thigh.
Mary moaned beside herself when his kisses moved to her jaw and she rolled onto her back to give him better access. Bert let out a husky chuckle of his own as she gave herself up to the love he was giving her. Hovering over her, he cupped her cheek with one hand before leaning down to press his lips to hers; the kiss was delicate, but Mary couldn't ignore how its slow nature drew her in with such anticipation. Without fully realising it, Mary attempted to deepen the kiss, but they both knew that the reins were in Bert's hands and he chose to keep things agonisingly slow – almost teasing her. Mary brought a hand up to rake through his hair, but she felt Bert's hand run back up her leg – tickling her – which caused her to pull away from his kiss as she giggled and squirmed.
"Bert!" she laughed.
But her giggles faded as Bert began to trail his kisses across her collarbone and back up so that their lips met again; he deepened the kiss this time and Mary felt herself melting into his affections – but it was still so delicate in nature. He adored her and wanted to show her that through his loving kisses – he was practically worshiping her…trying his best to convey just how much he loved her. He hovered over her completely and ran his hands up and down her body before caressing her through her nightgown. He knew just where to touch her and his hands made her squirm with pleasure. Soon Mary found herself breathless and wanting nothing more than to be with the man she loved in every sense of the phrase.
Bert adored the feeling of his wife's curves beneath his palms and although he kept such an intense control over his actions, he felt his passion for her begin to burn in his chest. Soon, the thin material of her nightgown was too much of a barrier and so – whilst still kissing her – he began to push her nightgown up her frame.
It was then that they heard the oh so familiar sound of their daughter's cries coming from the nursery and they stopped abruptly. As frustrated as they were that their fooling around had been interrupted, they couldn't help but laugh slightly at the ridiculousness of it all. Of course their daughter would start crying at this exact moment.
"Alright, roll off, Romeo" Mary instructed playfully.
With a sigh and a smile, Bert did as he was told. Mary eventually brought their now settled daughter into their bedroom and sat on the bed with her. Bert sat up and tickled his daughter's chin.
"Do you 'ave any idea what you just interrupted?" he chuckled.
Evelyn wriggled happily in Mary's lap.
"I think she's got a tooth coming through"
"Oh no, she 'asn't got a tooth comin' through – she knew exactly what she was interruptin'!" he joked.
"Oh, really, Bert!"
"You really won't let daddy 'ave any alone time with mummy, will ya? –" he asked in that tone of voice that adults only used for babies, "—a couple of months ago you wouldn't let me kiss 'er and now y' won't let me –"
"—Bert, might I ask that you talk about something more appropriate?"
He smirked at her.
"I would, but it seems that your daughter doesn't want me anywhere near ya!"
"Oh, so now she's my daughter?" she teased.
"Mary, no relation of mine would stop me from 'aving alone time with ya"
"Bert, you are being utterly ridiculous" she said light-heartedly.
"Do excuse my behaviour, Mrs Alfred, you see, I'm just a bit disheartened at the moment" he said – mocking dismay.
"And all because you couldn't have your wicked way with me?" she questioned with a slight giggle.
Bert leaned over and pressed a feather-light kiss to her cheek.
"Can ya blame me for wantin' to make love to my wife?" he smirked, "Anyway, it's not like you weren't enjoyin' it!"
"Oh, I was not!" she replied – trying her best to sound serious…and failing miserably.
"Uh-huh, well, tell that t' the blush I gave you five minutes ago!" he laughed.
"Excuse me?"
"Yer cheeks, they're redder than anything I've ever seen!"
In response, Mary playfully smacked him over the head…which caused Evelyn to giggle profusely. He smirked at his child before taking her from Mary's embrace and holding her in front of his face.
"Oh, y' think that's funny, do ya?" he chuckled.
Evelyn reached out for his face and ran the tips of her fingers across his cheek – fascinated by the feeling of his skin that was rougher than her mother's. Such intrigue was conveyed through the widening of her dazzling blue eyes and the way her jaw hung open ever so slightly; before long she giggled with delight, almost as if she felt some sort of triumph from the discovery of her father's cheek. Bert was certain that nothing could stop him from smiling in this moment as he watched his beautiful daughter begin to discover the world.
Mary snuggled against Bert's side and her hair became Evelyn's new fascination; she gripped onto it as best as she could and was captivated by the silky texture. Mary smiled lovingly and pecked her lips against the bare shoulder of the man who had given her a perfect life. The man who was her everything.
"I love you" she whispered.