Oh, I wonder what trouble these two have gotten into now?

Kisses to all of you who have been following along. Extra kisses to those who are reviewing because your words of encouragement speak volumes with this little stressball of a person.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the stuff I create, and to be honest, Disney owns most of the things I love anyway.

Janice

Bert looks up at the green and yellow kite as it flutters around in the air. A smile etched on his face. The ribbons curled around in the wind like they were in an elegant dance. He didn't take a break often, but the sales had slowed down on the windy October day and he was tired of drawing, so he decided that he deserved a small break before packing up and heading off to his first job as a sweep.

"Jacob, no! You must stay by me!" Bert turned to see a little boy running from what looked to be his nanny.

"Come and get me, Miss Janice!" Bert quickly reeled in the kite to help the poor girl out.

"Jacob, you can't go running away from me! It's not safe!" Bert chuckled quietly to himself and wondered if Mary had ever been like this with her charges, frazzled and unprepared. Bert doubted it since Mary always seemed prepared for any situation, but it was a funny thing to envision, none the less. Bert quickly jogs up to the young boy.

"Hey there, young man, whatcha doing behind this here bench?" Bert smiles down at the boy crouched down low.

"Hidin' from my nanny," Jacob smiles up at Bert with a toothy grin, though he is missing his front tooth, and he gestures for Bert to get down. Bert looks at the young woman with light brown hair running in their general direction. She stops when the two make eye contact and he winks at her before crouching down by the young boy.

"Now, why would ya be doing somethin' like that?"

"Cause it's funny," Bert looks up at Janice and sees the worry in her eyes.

"It doesn't look like she thinks it's very funny at all," Jacob peaks through the slats of the bench to Janice standing at a distance with a look of worry on her face, "she looks right scared,"

"Nannies don't get scared,"

"I bet you that they do 'cause they got little lives in their hands that they've got to protect, and I've heard that's a very scary thing havin' someone that depends on you,"

"I don't need to depend on anyone, I'm nine!"

"I'm twenty-one, and I still need people to depend on. Depending on people isn't a bad thing,"

"Means you're a sissy,"

"Nah," Bert smiles, "means you got people that love ya and want to see you succeed. Do you think your nanny wants you to succeed?"

"Yea," Jacob hangs his head.

"Do you think she loves ya?"

"Yea,"

"Now, do you think you owe your nanny an apology for running off into the park?" Jacob stands up, head still hanging down, and kicks the dirt.

"…yea." Bert smiles and stands, as well, and Janice quickly comes over and squats down in front of Jacob.

"Jacob, you gave me quite a fright. Please promise that you won't ever do that again,"

"I'm sorry, Miss Janice, and I promise not to run off again." Janice kisses his forehead and brings him in for a hug. Bert watches in amazement as he did with all the nannies that came through the park. All of them had such different styles of nannying, and he liked comparing them to how he knew Mary nannied her charges. All of them paled in comparison to the magic that was Mary Poppins.

"However can I thank you, Sir?" Bert is startled from his train of thought and looks at the nanny in front of him. She was the same height as Mary with lighter hair and green eyes. A beauty but nothing compared Mary.

"Oh, it wasn't a problem,"

"You saved me a lot of trouble," Janice looks over at Bert's drawings and kites and quickly takes out a coin purse, "perhaps a tuppence or two will…"

"I don't need it, ma'am, honestly, I know how much of handful children can be,"

"Oh, do you have some of your own?" Bert watches as Janice tries to eye his left hand, no doubt looking for a wedding ring but finding none.

"No, but one of my dearest…friends…is a nanny, and I know what trouble she can get into,"

"Oh, they can, but they're worth it," Janice looks down at Jacob, who is hugging her side, and she gently strokes his hair.

"They sure are, Miss…"

"Janice. Janice Hopkins," Janice sticks out her hand with a bright smile and Bert smiles back, shaking her hand firmly.

"Bert Alfred, ma'am,"

"THE Bert Alfred?" Janice and Bert look down at the small boy.

"What are you talking about, Jacob?" Jacob smiles broadly up Bert.

"The screever that makes the most fantastic drawings," Bert smiles proudly, "that you can jump into," Bert's face immediately falls. Uh oh.

"Oh, hush now, Jacob, you can't jump into chalk drawings,"

"Yea-huh! Lyla and Henry told me all about Bert Alfred and his chalk drawings that they go into with their nanny,"

"Oh, really? And what nanny would let them jump into chalk drawing? I happen to know that their mother is rather concerned about their clothes,"

"Mary Poppins, that's who. The two of them have been talking about her nonstop since she started nannying them two weeks ago," Janice tenses at the name. Janice knew the name of the practically perfect nanny that every single one of the nannies seemed to talk about. Most, if not all, had something good to say about her, but Janice had her doubts. She had also been turned away from some jobs because of this supposed Mary Poppins, who despite only being twenty-one had somehow charmed her way into so many homes.

"That's just silly,"

"Well, I do know a nanny named Mary Poppins," Janice's eyes go wide as she looks at the man talking to her charge, "and I do some screevin', but I don't know anythin' about jumpin' into them."

"But Lyla and Henry…!"

"Jacob enough." Bert looks back up at the sudden change of demeanor in the charming woman.

"Ain't no harm, Miss Janice. Kids' 'ave overactive imaginations and like to tell stories to their classmates. Just in good fun." Bert looks up to see Mary coming into the park with Lyla and Henry Cleaverton, "there's Mary Poppins now." Janice and Jacob turn to see two children enter the park with a young woman with dark chestnut hair and a striking green suit.

"Jacob! It's me, Henry! I don't know if you recognize me since I'm seven now," Jacob smiles as he starts to head towards his friends.

"Oh no you don't," Janice places a hand on his shoulder, "you will stay here,"

"But we came to the park to meet them."

"And we will wait for them right where we are." Janice, Jacob, and Bert watch as Henry points out the trio to his nanny and sister. Mary smiles at the sight of Bert, but her eyes darken slightly at the sight of him with another woman. The other trio starts to approach.

"You are Jacob Dawson's nanny, are you not?"

"Yes, and you must be Miss Mary Poppins, I've heard a lot about you. Janice Hopkins," Janice smiles, politely, offering her hand. Mary takes it with a warm smile.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Hopkins. Hello, Bert."

"Mary."

"Now, I do believe our employers have scheduled a playdate for the children," Mary looks at Bert, "could you spare some kites, Bert?"

"Now, Miss Poppins, I don't think this man's source of income…"

"Of course, Mary Popp'ns," Bert watches as the children's eyes brighten. "Why don't you three goes pick out your favorite?"

"Mister Alfred, do you think that's wise? What about the money you could make?" Bert laughed.

"Very charming of you to be so concerned, Miss Janice, but what's money without joy? Just a bunch of cold coins that don't have no fond memories. Plus, I'm sure Mary will give me something in return," Bert and Mary exchange a smile, "like some of her cousin Topsy's amazing onion and chive bread,"

"I'll ring her when we get home." Janice watches a silent moment pass between the two when Mary places her hand on Bert's arm.

"Mary Poppins, Bert, I found my kite!" The adults look at the children, and Lyla is holding up a blue and orange kite, "May I go fly it?" Mary turns to Bert, who smiles warmly.

"Of course! Do you need help from your ol' pal, Bert?"

"Oh, yes please, Bert!" Bert smiles and dashes over to the young blonde girl and helps her with the kite.

"So," Mary turns to Janice, "is he your beau?" Mary looks on at her in shock.

"Currently not. Hardly proper for a nanny to have a beau," Mary straightens her posture.

"So, you're saying he is available?" Janice smiles charmingly at Bert when he catches her eye, and he quickly looks away, obliviously uncomfortable.

"Absolutely not." Mary leaves Janice without a look back and goes to help her younger charge pick out his kite, eventually settling on an all red one while Jacob chooses a two-toned blue one.

That end banter is my favorite part of their whole thing. Hope you guys enjoyed! Feel free to let me know what you think.

Love,

KMA