A/N: I do hope that you enjoyed the last chapter. I didn't receive much response so please; let me know your thoughts: good or bad. I do hope that you enjoy this chapter. Again, please let me know what you think. Thanks guys! : )

The day was Tuesday. It was 10am and the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds. There was a light breeze sweeping through Cherry Tree Lane as Admiral Boom stepped onto his roof to keep vigilance over its occupants. As he did, he spotted someone who earned his attention.

Bert was kneeling down on the pavement, chalk in hand, as he put the finishing touches to one of his drawings.

"Chim chiminee chim chiminee chim chim cheroo

I does what I like and I like..." Bert sat back on his heels, tilting his head a little to the left as he observed his drawing. After a few seconds, he returned to his original position and added more definition to his drawing of a large white house, overlooking a lake.

"... What I do." Bert lifted his head up as he saw people admiring his work. He smiled warmly at them saying:

"`Ello art lovers." Amongst his admirers were children from Bert`s neighbourhood. One of them spoke to him.

"What are you drawing on the pavement for, Bert?" Bert stood up, stretched and said:

"Well, today Joe I`m working as a Screever and as you can see a Screever is an artist of the `ighest degree." Bert smiled brightly at Joe who laughed lightly at him.

"They really are great Bert." Bert smiled his gratitude as he replied:

"Well, thank you very much Joe. Tell your mother if she wants another one that I`d be `appy to oblige."

"I sure will Bert but I gotta run and meet some mates; I`ll talk to you soon."

"Alright then Joe, you `ave a good day." Bert called out as Joe ran through the park. As he left, Bert walked up to his first drawing of a meadow, examining the others as he went. Once he had erased some smudges, he stepped back and smiled proudly at his work. Then, he skipped over each one as he sang:

"Chim chiminee chim chiminee chim chim cheroo

I draws what I like and I like what I drew"

As a few other people passed along, Bert removed his cap and threw it down in front of him as he sang:

"No enumeration do I ask of you

But me cap would be glad of a copper or two

Me cap would be glad of a copper or two"

As people began throwing money into his hat, Admiral Boom called Bert to attention.

"Good morning to you Bert and I must say what a pleasure it is to observe such fine talent and entertainment from here." Bert looked up, smiling as he answered:

"Good morning Admiral and thank you for your kind words, gov."

"Not at all; how are things progressing?" Bert smiled as he thanked an elderly woman who put tuppence into his hat. As he returned his attention to the Admiral, he asked:

"In what capacity do you mean?"

"I can see that you are doing well professionally today, but I was inferring on another matter. I think you know what I mean." Bert exhaled, clearing his throat as he knelt back down on the pavement to begin working on another drawing. However, he still conversed with Admiral Boom.

"I suspect you know about us `aving dinner the other night." Bert retorted as he drew.

"Oh, you suspect correctly, Bert." Bert nodded his head, turning it to face the Admiral as he said:

"I thought as much. Well, then you will be `appy to know that we are meeting today to discuss things properly. Mary Poppins `as been offered a job in Scotland but she ain`t sure whether it`s for `er. We both admitted to `ow we felt so I guess today we will `opefully make things official."

"Finally!" The Admiral boomed, stretching his arms out to the side for dramatic effect. Bert looked smiling amusedly and shaking his head. "It has been a long time coming Bert and if I may say, quite frustrating to watch. Now, let me say this. If either of you mess things up today, I will personally fire you out of this canon. Do you understand?" Bert laughed lightly but suspected the Admiral was half serious in his remark.

"I understand Admiral." Admiral Boom saluted Bert which signified he would let him finish his drawings in peace, for now.

At Number 17 during this time, things were rather different. Mary Poppins had received a visitor who was waiting on her in the drawing room. He was a tall grey haired gentleman; dressed in a navy pin striped, three piece suit. Although on first impressions, he would appear rather fastidious but in fact, Lord Harrington was quite the opposite. As he sat at the edge of the middle cushion on the sofa, he looked around the room enthralled. While waiting for Mary Poppins, he began to understand why she spoke so warmly of this family. He smiled over at the fireplace, thinking that must be where she, the children and Bert flew up. Although he had never met Bert, Lord Harrington knew how special he was to Mary Poppins. He knew this, not through acquiring knowledge of his character or by hearing stories about him directly, for none of these happened. No, he knew that Bert was special to Mary Poppins because he overheard her telling his children a bedtime story about chimney sweeps dancing on rooftops. She had inferred that Bert was the best of all; the most enchanting and kindest of all men. After he asked her about him, she had immediately refuted any credence to such a story. However, Lord Harrington knew that Bert did exist and more importantly, that Mary Poppins was very much in love with him. Therefore, after much consideration, Lord Harrington was at Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane to relieve Mary Poppins of any obligations she may feel towards him or his family. He believed it was time that she settled things with Bert.

"Good morning Lord Harrington." Mary called as she stepped into the drawing room, smiling politely. As he turned his head away from the fireplace to look at her directly, he smiled fondly as he stood up offering his hand. As she willingly accepted it, he replied:

"It is so good to see you again, Mary Poppins. How are things with you?" As he relinquished her hand, she walked closer to the couch as they both sat down and faced one another sideways.

"Oh, Lord Harrington you know that I never complain about my duties. Things are well, as I hope they are with you."

"Yes, I have nothing to report but I expect that you are wondering what I am doing here. Well, I am here to speak to you about your job offer in Scotland."

"Jane, that is the man which Mary Poppins worked for before returning to us." Michael whispered to his sister from the top of the stairs.

"I know Michael but what do you suppose he is doing here today?" Jane asked her brother anxiously.

"I don't know but if he is here to take her back to Scotland then I think we need to tell Bert."

"Yes, I think you are right. I saw him outside the park drawing a few moments ago so I expect he is still there."

"Okay, on the count of three, we mount the banister." Michael climbed down a few steps as his sister followed him. After counting, they both sat on the banister and slid down to the hall. Then, they tip toed to the front door, keeping watch that they weren't seen. Once they reached the door, Michael caught hold of the knob and turned it. After taking one last glance over her shoulder, Jane left with her brother. Once outside, they ran from their house all the way to the park without stopping. Bert, who was kneeling down drawing, lifted his eyes upon hearing the sudden stampede in his direction. As Jane and Michael reached him, he dropped his chalk and jumped up, wiping his hands on his handkerchief.

"`Ow are me two best pals doing today then?" Bert asked smiling brightly at them.

"Not too good really Bert...we need you to come back to the house immediately."

"Okay, Michael, now just take it easy for a minute." Bert replied calmly as he shoved his handkerchief into his pocket eying them both with a little anxiety.

"It is so very important that you do Bert before Mary Poppins leaves." Jane cried fearfully. Bert furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at them perplexed.

"What? Now, `ang on you two, there must be some mistake."

"No, there isn't Bert. The man from Scotland is at home right now speaking to her." Jane replied, urgency in his voice.

"Well, that doesn't mean that Mary Poppins is leaving, Jane." Bert retorted, still confused by their anxiety.

"Why else would he be here?"

"Oh, please Bert, please." Jane and Michael cried, catching hold of Bert`s hands and tugging him, almost knocking his balance, as they looked at him frantically. Bert didn't understand why it was so urgent for him to go to Number 17. He knew deep down that the children were wrong in their estimation. However, Mary Poppins was late for their date but that didn't mean she was leaving. Nonetheless, Bert allowed the children to lead him to their house.

As they stepped inside, all three heard voices coming from the drawing room. Jane and Michael looked at Bert immediately, confirming their information.

"That doesn't mean she is leaving." Bert whispered to Jane and Michael.

"So, why else would he be here?" Michael asked loud enough for them to be discovered in the hall. Immediately, Jane clasped her hand over her brother`s mouth as Bert motioned for him to be quite. At the same time they heard Mary Poppins asking what was going on out there. Bert rolled his eyes as he puffed. "Now, you `ave done it, Michael." He retorted to Michael as he walked towards the drawing room. As he did, Mary Poppins came to the entrance and started upon seeing Bert.

Bert smiled politely at her as he said:

"Good morning Mary Poppins and `ow are you today?"

"Well, quite frankly Bert, I am a little stunned to see you here. Am I late for our appointment?"

"Oh, well only by a few minutes so no need to worry. I was uh..." he cleared his throat as he looks down at the floor momentarily..."I was just making sure that you were all right."

"That is very sweet Bert, oh where are my manners? I am so sorry Lord Harrington. Bert, I would like you to meet my former employer Lord Harrington." The latter walked from the couch over to Mary Poppins as Bert stepped inside the room.

"It is quite an honour to meet you Bert." Lord Harrington exclaimed offering him his hand. Bert smiled brightly, taking his hand and returning the sentiments.

"I must apologise for intruding sir but if I `ad known that you were `ere, I wouldn`t `ave come." Bert explained apologetically. Mary Poppins smiled lightly at him.

"Oh, nonsense Bert! I am quite pleased to have met you but unfortunately I do have business in London which I must attend to. Mary Poppins, it was wonderful to see you again. I shall be in touch with the details." Bert`s face reflected despondency as he believed she had accepted Lord Harrington`s offer.

"Bert, perhaps we will meet again soon. For now though, I am glad that I have been able to put a face to the name which I have heard so much about." Mary looked at Bert incredulously. What did Lord Harrington mean? However, her look went unnoticed by Bert.

"Oh, well it was a pleasure to meet you an` all sir." Bert replied perplexed as he shook his hand one last time. As Mary Poppins showed her former employer to the door, Bert tried to make sense of it all. Truthfully, he had no idea what was going on. Had Mary Poppins agreed to work for him or not. He was about to find out.

"Bert, what on earth were you thinking in coming in here like that?" Mary Poppins asked stiffly as she marched into the room and stood in front of him. Bert looked at her wide eyed, surprised at her tone.

"Well I...`ang on a minute, why are you angry at me? I didn't do nothing to justify such an attitude, Mary Poppins." Bert replied feeling hurt by her scolding.

"I thought we had agreed to meet at the park." Mary retorted in a calmer voice.

"Yeah, we `ad but then Jane and Michael came running up to me terrified that you was gonna leave `em again." Mary Poppins rolled her eyes as she turned around and walked further into the room. She folded her arms as she walked back saying:

"I should have known that Jane and Michael would have been behind it. Tell me Bert, why do you always jump when they ask you to? You are always ready to think the worst of me."

"Whoa, now `ang on a minute: You know that is simply not true. I `ave never thought the worst of you, Mary Poppins. I wouldn't know how to. All I know is that those kids were `eart broken when you left the last time and I was there to pick up the pieces. I did my best to keep `em `appy but they still missed you. All they could talk about was you. Now, I apologise if my being `ere `as caused you some upset. It certainly never was my intention. If you will excuse me Mary Poppins, I will leave and finish off my drawings. You know where I`ll be should you need me." Mary looked at him apologetically. Bert turned and walked out the door, not realising that they had an audience on the stairs. As soon as he was gone, Ellen turned to the children and telling them to go after Bert. She and Mrs. Brill would deal with Mary Poppins.

A/N: Okay, I know it was short: I didn't intend it to be. However, the next part is almost ready for posting and I promise it will be worth the wait. Also, the ending which so many of you desire, including myself, is coming up in the next chapter. So, please, stay tuned. : )