AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you would like to read more PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! There is really no point in writing them if no one lets you know what they think. If you get a little jpy out of reading, then give me a little joy by posting what think. Fair deal. Thank you, Thank you ;)

ALSO... I feel like this story is dragging and I have other things I wish to work on, and so I have tied up some loose ends in the next chapter via a few paragraphs at the beginning which explain several things. I feel this will help us over the hump and, hopefully, towards the finish line. I may do the same thing with the next chapter as well. :)

CHAPTER 21: Meet Mary Poppins

The next day was a whirlwind of activity. Back at the Genovian Palace, Clarisse met with the rest of the family, where she explained all that had happened in the forty-eight hours since their last meeting. She told them all of what Nanny had read in the diary, which confirmed what they all knew to be true. Nanny was Rupert's daughter, and the heir to the throne. Nanny had, however, withdrawn and would be making a formal statement to the press after meeting with her mother, Mary, who was very much alive and living in London. Naturally, the younger members of the family where shocked at the news that Nanny's mother was still alive. More shocked, to learn that their grandfather/great grandfather King Peter had threatened her, as well as Nanny's life, which is why she went into hiding.

Pierre made a vow to make every effort to get to know Nanny. She was his half sister after all. He could not believe his Grandfather, King Peter, had done the things that he allegedly had done, but he believed that if his mother said it true, indeed it was. Mia was thankful that she would still hold the throne, but was a bit torn up about how poor Nanny was dealing with all this. Clarisse assured her that Nanny would be fine. Deep down Clarisse suspected that Nanny was a very strong woman. Clarisse also informed the group that their blood tests had come back and also confirmed that Nanny was Rupert's daughter. When asked by Nicholas why Rupert's siblings had not taken over the throne? He was not aware that Rupert had siblings. Clarisse explained that Rupert's younger sister had died of Polio as a child, and his younger brother had joined the church. The feeling of history repeating with Rupert's siblings and later his children, was not lost.

Charlotte had her own announcement to make at the family meeting. She was pregnant! Well, some were more surprised then others. Naturally, everyone was overjoyed for her and Victor and wished them well with their family. They informed the group that they would be moving back to New York shortly. To which everyone gave their, bittersweet, blessing. Charlotte would be missed in Genovia.

Clarisse informed the younger members of the family of some other happy news. Nanny and Wilkes were to be married. The family was thrilled for them and pressed Clarisse for details. She responded that she had no idea on the specifics, but she was sure Wilkes and Nanny would tell them more soon. The meeting ended with Clarisse and Joseph letting the others know that they too would be leaving for London the next morning to meet up with Nanny and Wilkes, where they would be meeting with Mary Poppins...

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS LATER, LONDON

"What do you mean she did not go?", Clarisse asked her brother. She and Joseph had just arrived at the family estate in London.

"Well, I did bring her of course. I dropped her off at the proper address, a retirement community, you know, where Mary is living now..."

"Yes... And?"

"She wanted to speak with her alone. Naturally I understood. I kissed her goodbye and left. Well, I came back several hours later and she was sitting on a bench outside. She told she had not been able to go in. She just could not bring herself to do it", Wilkes explained to his sister.

"Oh dear. Where is Nanny now? Is she planning on going back?", Clarisse asked.

"Yes. We are going together this morning. She is just getting ready now. I am HOPING that she will see her mother this time"

"We will wait here then. We'll meet you both for dinner here at the house?", Clarisse asked.

"Yes. Alright", Wilkes replied, "I should go see to Nanny now. We will see you this evening"

"Good, good. Excuse me now", Clarisse replied, "I have a call to make"

"Are sure, sure, sure you are alright with this Love?", Nanny asked, gripping his hand tighter then usual, as they stood in front of the bench outside Mary's building, near the bench where Nanny had sat for several hours thinking the day before.

"Of course sweetheart. I will go in and, er, brake the ice... so to speak. Then I will come for you"

"Alright Love. Thank you Wilkes!"

"Of course, of course. You know I would do anything for you"

"Yes. I do know that", Nanny replied, with a brief smile, letting happiness creep in for just a moment, she gave him a brief kiss before sitting down on the bench, her eyes locked on the pavement in front of her.

"I will tell her who I am, and that you are out here and then I will come for you. I should not be long... Are you, er, ready for this Nan? You will be out here when I come back?"

"Of course I will Willie. Yesterday, I just... Aoww, I don't know what 'appened yesterday! I suppose I needed you with me"

Wilkes gave her a little smile, before bending down and giving her a peck, "Well, you are in luck my love, because I will always be here when you need me. For the rest of our lives. You just say the word"

"Oh, Wilkes... You see. You say things like that and I feel so, so, so much better my darling"

He gave her another brief kiss and a smile, "Shall I be off then?"

Nanny nodded in reply.

"I LOVE you Nan. We will do this together", he said, before kissing her hand. She nodded, and he commenced heading in to meet his soon to be mother-in-law.

"Tell me that is a joke!", Joseph yelled into his cell phone, "By who? No, that can not be! When was this? This morning? I... I see. Well, thank you Shades. I have to go. Yes, I will let you know when they get here. Bye"

Clarisse stirred her tea, having heard her husband's conversation across the room and knowing that he would have questions for her, which would likely end in an argument. Joseph walked over to where she sat in the sitting room of the London house. She turned her head to look out the window. It was winter and nothing was in bloom, what a pity. Joseph laid down his phone on the table, sitting calmly and picking up his own tea cup. He was silent, as he too looked out the window. After several moments like this, Clarisse could stand it no longer.

"Phone call?"

"Shades"

"Ah"

"You knew about it didn't you?"

"Knew about what darling?", she asked, still looking out the window.

He turned his gaze to her, "Come now Clarisse. We are better then that"

"I beg your pardon?", she asked calmly, turning to face him now.

"You know exactly what I am talking about. Do you not?"

"I suspect I do", she admitted, "And you are right. Let's not play games"

"Thank you. So... did you know that Arthur Mabrey was released?"

"Yes", she replied, "Looking down at her tea cup"

"Was it your idea?", he asked. She could tell he was fighting to control his anger.

"For the most part"

Joseph nodded, getting up silently and walking across the room.

"Where are you going?", Clarisse called after him.

He stopped and turned to her before responding, "For a walk"

"Shall I join you?"

"I don't think so"

"Joseph, please let me explain..."

"You have had plenty of time to explain, but chose not to. You wanted to leave me in the dark, and so I really do not care to speak of it now. Excuse me", he said, before leaving the room.

Clarisse exhaled. Well, that did not go well. He would come around though. He always did. It was not as if she had done it for herself. For goodness sake, Arthur Mabrey could stay behind bars for the rest of his life for all she cared. That suited her just fine, but things were a bit more complicated then simply her own wishes these days. No mind, the next couple of days in London would shed light on everything. She hoped Joseph would understand her reasons then, and forgive her for not telling him what was going on.

Her mind focused now on Nanny. She hoped with Arthur here, who had been so close to Mary in the past... thinking of her as his own mother in a sense, Nanny may be persuaded to speak with her. In addition to that, it really was time to air everything out and Arthur Mabrey, like it or not, was a part of the story. Why keep him behind bars where he could make claims? It was time all the secrets were told. So that Nanny, and everyone else for that matter, could move on.

Clarisse hoped that Wilkes had been able to convince Nanny to go in to see Mary today. However, if Wilkes could not convince her, once Arthur and Maggie were here she would likely change her mind. Maggie was her best friend, which is why Clarisse had suggested she come to London as well. While Arthur was a foe, they did share a strong link, Mary Poppins. Besides that, it would give Nanny a chance to face Arthur Mabrey, which may be quite liberating for her, but one thing at a time...

"May I help you Sir?", Mary asked as she opened the door to her flat.

"Er, ah, yes", Wilkes replied, shocked to meet Mary face to face and see that she did indeed have Nanny's lovely blue eyes.

"Well then... Do not stand there like a turtle in his shell. Stand up straight! And close your mouth! You are not a codfish"

"Oh. Yes, of course", Wilkes replied, standing up straighter and closing his mouth.

Mary looked back at his questioningly. Her white hair was pulled back into a bun, but unlike Nanny's it was perfect and neat. She was thin, well dressed, and certainly did not look her age. She thought about Wilkes for a moment, putting her finger to her mouth and tapping, "Yes. You will do"

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh, for goodness sake! Would you really like to have this conversation in a hallway? Please come in and have a seat"

Mary stepped back and Wilkes walked past her into her apartment. It was perfectly kept.

"I suppose you would like to know who I am and why I have come", Wilkes said, turning to her.

Mary closed the door and motioned for him to sit, "Oh no. I know exactly who you are, Sir Wilkes"

"How do you know who I am?", Wilkes asked, perched on the edge of his seat.

"Well, you have been in all of the papers", she said, sitting across from him, "Would you care for some tea? "

"No, no. I am fine. Thank you"

"Well, if you change your mind just let me know and I will have the penguins get you a cup"

"Yes, thank you... er, did you just say... penguins?"

"Yes", Mary replied with a smile, before clapping her hands and looking to her left.

The kitchen door swung open and two little penguins waddled out and into the living room. They waddled over to Wilkes and stopped before him, looking up expectantly. Wilkes' eyes bulged out of his head. He had never seen such a thing! Mary simply smiled, as if it was the most natural thing in the world and warranted no explanation.

"You... You... You keep penguins as pets?"

"Oh, they more like friends really"

"Friends?", Wilkes asked. Poor Nanny, everyone thought she had mental health issues in the past, but clearly she was not the crazy one in the family.

"Are they making you feel uncomfortable?", Mary asked, before whistling. The penguins turned to her and Mary whispered to them, "Our guest doesn't care for penguins. Why don't you two go for a swim"

The penguins waddled away then, back into the kitchen. Mary smiled at Wilkes.

"Remarkable... er, It is not that I don't like penguins. I was just, er, taken a bit off guard. They can not really fetch tea can they? Where do you keep them? Do you have some kind of freezer?"

"Sir Wilkes, I would like to make one thing quite clear... I never explain anything. Now then. Did you really come here to discuss my penguins?"

"Well, no. No, of course not"

"Right. Shall we get on with it then? As I was saying... You will do"

"Do for what?"

"Sir Wilkes, did you see my name on the buzzer?"

"Oh, well. Yes. I suppose I did"

"Anne Fletcher", Mary replied, "That is what it says, but you know as well as I do that is not my name. Don't you?"

"Yes. Madame. That is correct. I do believe your name is... Mary"

"You saved my daughter", Mary replied.

"Well, I suppose that technically..."

"No. Not technically, literally... from what I read in the papers. Of course the papers are complete rubbish these days. Always have been come to think of it. Are you sure you would not like a cup of tea?"

"No. No thank you. Yes, Mary. I suppose I did save Nanny. Although she has saved me as well... in, er, other ways"

"You love her"

"Yes. I do"

"It was not a question"

"Oh, I see. Nanny is why I am here"

"Well of course she is... either that or your sister, queen Clarisse, has sent you to hunt me down, but seeing how you are in love with my daughter I find that unlikely"

"I am here for Nanny. She would like to see you"

"Oh no, no. That would not be possible, but as I said... you will do"

"Do for WHAT?"

"My Sainted Aunt Fanny! Must I spell it out for you? You will do to marry my daughter! The paper painted you as a couple, and you are here in my living room telling me you love her. You do want to marry my daughter, do you not Sir Wilkes?"

"Well... Yes. I do!"

"Alright then. You will do. You come from a good family. You have shown your bravery and your devotion. You are handsome enough... although you could loose a bit of weight. Your posture is bearable... and most importantly you love Nanny. Yes, I give my blessing. Now, if you excuse me. I have an awful lot to accomplish today"

"I did not come for your approval. I have already asked Nanny to marry me... and she said yes"

"Oh. I see. You children do things so differently these days"

"Children?"

"Well, your generation then"

" Ms. Poppins, Nanny wishes to see you. That is why I am here. She is here as well. She is right outside!"

"She is here? Nanny is here?"

"Yes"

"I can not believe I did not sense her presence. It is funny, because I thought I did yesterday..."

"She was here yesterday, but she was too nervous to come in"

"I see", Mary replied, letting her eyes drop, "How is she?"

"As well as could be expected. She has had some unbelievable things happen to her in the last couple of weeks..."

A knock came at the door then.

"It's her", Mary said standing.

"It may be", Wilkes replied, standing as well, "Although we had agreed..."

"It's her", Mary said again, "Please let her in. I will just make some tea in the kitchen"

Wilkes watched Mary disappear into the kitchen, as he heard the soft knock once more. He moved over and opened the door to find it was indeed Nanny.

"I could not wait any longer!", Nanny said, seeing him.

Wilkes ushered her inside, as Nanny looked around, expecting to see her mother. Wilkes sat Nanny on the sofa, settling beside her and taking her hand.

"Where, where, where is she?", Nanny whispered to him.

"She has just gone to make tea", Wilkes replied.

At that moment a penguin came out of the swinging kitchen door with, it couldn't be, a cup of tea perched on the flat part of one fin. He waddled over to Nanny and offered it to her. Nanny smiled, and took the tea from the penguin, thanking him as the other penguin came out with another cup of tea and headed for Wilkes. Wilkes could not believe what he was seeing! Did Nanny not find this the slightest bit odd? The second penguin stopped before Wilkes and offered him the cup of tea. Wilkes looked to Nanny questioningly.

"Is this not a bit odd to you?", Wilkes had to ask.

"My mother loves animals", Nanny replied, as if that was an explanation, "Take your tea love. 'e is waiting"

"Oh, I am terribly sorry", Wilkes said... to the penguin, before lifting the teacup from his fin.

The penguin waddled back into the kitchen, and Wilkes looked once again to Nanny.

She could not help but laugh at his expression, "Lots of pets know tricks Love. That's all it is. Now can we concentrate on why we are 'ere?"

"Of course. I do apologize"

"Don't", she said, squeezing his hand, "I feel such much better knowing you are here with me"

Wilkes nodded. Unsure of what to say next he went with, "She approves of us getting married"

Nanny made an annoyed face, "As if she 'as the right to 'ave an opinion on anything that 'appens in my life!"

The door to the kitchen swung open then, and Mary stepped out with her own cup of tea. She looked Nanny over for a moment, before smiling and saying, "Hello Nanny"

Nanny looked from Mary down to her lap, before responding, a bit coldly,"Mother"

"I can't believe they released you", Maggie complained from her seat beside Arthur Mabrey on the plane.

"I can not believe I was ordered to go and see Mary with you! I mean why you ? … And why were we not sent on Genovia One? Instead we get this little ratty number, which they keep for God knows what!"

"Beats me. Maybe they gave you this plane since this is what you deserve. Not to mention that the Queen is using Genovia One. It is really not that bad. You're a real snob! Do you know that? As far as them asking me to accompany you with the guards, its probably because you spill your guts to me and no one else"

"What on earth are you referring to?"

"You told me things! That's what I'm referring to! You never talked to nobody else, but me"

"Yes, well... only because you were my only visitor. It was practically torture! To send only one person, and they chose to keep sending YOU!"

"No one sent me you idiot! I went on my own"

"What are you talking about? The royal family did not ask you to speak with me?"

"No! I did it"

"All those times you came..."

"Was cause I felt responsible for giving you the information on Nanny in the first place. That was the only reason"

"Oh please! I knew about Nanny for months before that!"

"Well, I know that NOW. Before though... I thought you would have never planned the kidnapping if I had not told you all about Nanny and how in love Wilkes there is with her and how valuable she is to him, and therefor to the royal family"

"Oh, for goodness sake! It was not your fault!"

"Feels like it was"

"Do they honestly blame you? Some friends you have there"

"No. I blame me!"

"Well... you should not. You have been nothing but a good friend to Nanny"

"Why are you trying to make me feel better?"

"I'm not. I am... simply stating a fact"

"Hmm, well I still want to know WHY Queen Clarisse was pressing for your release. Despite her promise to you, there must have been something else"

"There was, Nanny. Were you not told about the phone call?"

"What phone call?"

"I will take that as a no. Allow me to inform you. Nanny went to London to see Mary yesterday"

"I knew that"

"Right, well... as it turns out she was not able to bring herself to go in and see her"

"Oh! Poor Nan..."

"When Queen Clarisse arrived in London this morning and was told Nanny was not seeing her mother she called Genovia and appealed for my temporary release so that I may go and be of assistance"

"Be of assistance? YOU?"

"Yes! I am not all bad you know! I have already said that my plan was a mistake"

"Oh, what a heartfelt apology!"

"As a matter of fact I was planning on apologizing to Nanny when I met her in London, and to Mary as well"

" You said temporary? So you have not released for good then?"

"That has not been decided yet, no"

"Good!"

"I beg your pardon madam?"

"Well, excuse me but...", Maggie began.

There was a load noise then and commotion among the crew of the small aircraft.

"What was that?", Arthur asked, looking around.

"I don't know, but it was loud!"

"What is going on?", Arthur asked a passing member of the crew, "I demand to know what is going on!"

"We're not sure Sir. Might be a problem with the left wing"

Maggie and Arthur looked out their window towards the wing.

"Well, it is still ON", Maggie said.

"We'll be making an emergency landing in Nantes, France all the same", the man informed them.

"Oh for God sake! How long will we be grounded?", Arthur asked, annoyed.

"Not sure Sir. We will make other arrangements if need be"

"Thank you", Maggie replied, and the young man excused himself. She turned to Arthur then, "I wonder how long we will have to wait"

"I don't know my dear", he said sarcastically, "But every second with you is bliss!"

"Right back at cha", she said, reaching over him and taking his nag of pretzels, having already eaten her own, opening them and popping two into her mouth.

"Those were mine!", Arthur complained.

Maggie smiled at him in reply, "They're mine now"

"Dreadful woman", Arthur said under his breath, looking out his window.

Maggie could not help but laugh to herself, before munching on some more pretzels.

TO BE CONTINUED...