A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so so so sorry for the lack of update on this fic! I know it's been like forever, but I promise the updates will be comin' a lot more often now :) I just got freed from groundation (lol) and internet is back in business. Plus I'm almost done writing it, so I estimate approximately 6 more chapters left and I only have two left that are waiting to be written :). Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter, and reviews are such sweet love to me. :3

Chapter Seven

The sun streamed through the lace curtains, its light hitting the bodies lying on the bed. The cold morning air was crisp on their skin, sending goose bumps up and down Mary's spine. She lay on her stomach, sheets draped over her lower back. She opened her eyes slowly, trying to prevent the sun's rays from blinding her.

Mary couldn't tell what time of day it was, but before she could think about it, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. Warm lips pressed against the cold skin of her neck, sending a wave of shock throughout her body. "Bert," she moaned quietly, a sweet smile playing on her lips as she exhaled. Mary curled her legs between his, making herself welcome to him.

"Good morning," he whispered into her ear. When she was about to kiss him a reply, Mary finally took in the words that he said. It was morning.

"Oh, my God!" Mary flung the sheets off of her, and jumped out of bed, scrambling around the room for her missing clothes. Picking up pieces from all over the floor, Mary pulled them on as she grabbed them. Bert just watched her, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I can't believe I stayed out all night! You could have warned me, you know!" She threw a discarded pillow at him when she said this. "How am I going to explain this to the Banks'?"

"Tell them something came up… family matters." Bert plopped back down in the sheets, heaving a sigh. Despite the fact that Mary had been there all evening and night, neither of them got any sleep at all. But he couldn't be happier.

Mary scoffed at him, pulling her dress over her petticoat. "This is possibly the most terrible thing I've ever done."

Bert laughed. "No, it's not. And I would know,"

"Oh, shut up!" Though she tried to sound upset, Mary couldn't help but laugh back. She shoved him playfully until he caught her arms and pulled her on top of him. Their laughs intertwining each others', Bert kissed her softly on the lips - briefly at first, then more passionately.

Mary pressed her body against his, feeling the heat grow at her center. Bert's kisses trailed from her lips and made their way to the crook of her neck. Before long, his hands were traveling up her skirts, and Mary had to stop him or else she would never make it back to the Banks household.

"Bert, please. I have to go," She pushed away his hands, and smiled sympathetically at him.

"It's still early. Just a quick one, won't be too long." Bert smiled back as he kissed her on the neck again.

Mary just laughed as she climbed off of him, and went to grab her jacket. Her hair was still down and her make-up had faded, but she didn't have time to take care of that. As she opened the bedroom door to leave, Bert quickly got up, taking the sheets with him. He wanted to at least say goodbye properly, even if she would be back in a few days.

As they approached the front door, Bert reached out and grabbed her hands, pulled her close for one long lasting kiss to keep him satisfied for a couple of hours. She wrapped herself up in his arms, melting into him, not wanting to leave. Finally, she drew away, smiling as she opened the door.

"I'll be seeing you, Herbert Alfred." She winked her goodbye to him, and left before she could see him collapse into the sofa, his heart on a string that Mary Poppins was constantly pulling.

She stood outside Number 17 for nearly half an hour before deciding to go in. Fortunately she was quite good at improvising, so her story would hopefully come naturally. Mary despised lying, but preferred to keep her reputation as a wholesome, tradition-carrying, virgin nanny as close to her as possible. It was better than running the risk of losing this position, because they thought she couldn't control her libido. So, she sacrificed her beliefs and decided lying would be her choice of route.

Mary turned the doorknob slowly and quietly, peering inside to see if anyone was awake yet. It was still fairly early in the morning, so she hoped everyone would be asleep, seeing as it was Saturday.

Luckily, nobody was in the foyer, so she walked inside and shut the door behind her, making a beeline for the stairs. Until she heard a loud, crisp cough.

It was Mr. Banks, standing at the entry to the parlor. "Mary Poppins. Nice to see you this morning."

Mary froze at the edge of the stairs, until she finally decided to talk. "I was just hea-"

"Heading upstairs before the children awoke? Yes, I thought so." He grinned victoriously. "Luckily for them, they fell asleep before they could notice you had disappeared last night."

"Sir, I can explain -" Mary said vulnerably, but Mr. Banks interrupted her again.

"No need to, Ms. Poppins. That chimney sweep called not too long ago and explained everything. I'm so sorry about your uncle."

Stunned, Mary couldn't help but let her mouth drop open. "Sorry?"

Mr. Banks turned and looked at her curiously. "Yes, of course. I can only imagine how devastating that must be for him to lose his job and fall ill under one night. I understand why he would need his family at this time."

She was deeply shocked. First Bert had the nerve to call Mr. Banks at five o'clock in the morning and come up with a story to save her job. Second, she was surprised at how he went straight for the alternative, Uncle Albert. But mostly, she was surprised that Mr. Banks believed all this.

"Oh, er, yes it is quite dreadful. I was up all night with him, helping him recover. I'm glad to see you're a forgiving, kind man who understands." She smiled at him and he smiled back rather arrogantly, taking her words to his head.

"Yes, yes of course. Now, why don't you go on and get some rest."

Mary nodded at him and rushed upstairs, not wanting to be in his presence any longer.