Wow, I've made it a goal for myself to right 400 words every day to make the anxiety level that comes with writing go away, and so far, it's working! This chapter took on a life of its own. It didn't turn out how I was initially intending but I'm happy with it.

I hope you guys had a wonderful new year! I also hope you like the chapter.

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

Jane

"And that once again, Bert, is checkmate," Jane smiles from her seat across from the table, "I do believe that makes 20 to 17, now does it not?"

"I'm starting to hate this tradition,"

"You're just mad since my uncle married your aunt fourteen years ago that you have never been able to surpass me in wins at our major holiday events," Jane dramatically knocks over Bert's white king, "oh my goodness, Jane, you are so amazing,"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Blondie," Jane laughs, her green eyes glittering with glee. Their aunt and uncle had married fourteen years ago, and every Christmas Eve, Bert's family would come over for dinner and some games. Jane's family was more well-to-do than Bert's family, but it never seemed to cause any tension between anyone. The holidays were always warm and filled with love, and now plenty of wine.

"Jane, Bert," Rebecca, Bert's little sister, comes sauntering into the room, "oh, Bert, it appears you have lost again. Nice job, Janey," the girls exchange a high five.

"Hey! I'm your brother,"

"Girl power though,"

"Women,"

"Speaking of women," Rebecca raises her eyebrow to Bert, "where is yours? Mama said she was coming,"

"Bert has a woman?!" Jane gets a look of glee on her face. "Does that mean Auntie Emily and Uncle John will stop trying to set us up?!" Jane hops out of her chair and presses a kiss onto the young girl's cheek, "Happy Christmas indeed!"

"Hopefully, if I get pushed under one more mistletoe with you, I will vomit,"

"You would be so lucky to have me,"

"Hey!" Bert and Jane look at Rebecca, "if you two are done bantering like a couple, I asked a question,"

"Right," Bert straightened himself, "she…um…should be here soon."

"Rebecca, you must tell me about Bert's beau,"

"Mary is beautiful, and she is so proper and nice," Rebecca drags Jane to the couch to gossip a bit, "she comes a very nice family, and I have no idea what she sees in him." Bert rolls his eyes and fidgets with his coat sleeves as he listens to the girls. A soft knock is heard on the door, and Bert's mother, Laura, bustles to it. The slightly portly

"Oh! You must be Mary, let me look at you," Bert's mother takes Mary's coat. Her dark blue Edwardian dress sparkling in the light, "don't you look pretty,"

"I was at my father's house for a party with his associates, I'm sorry I'm late," Mary and Laura exchange kisses on the cheek with smiles.

"You are also entirely too skinny, good thing that you came for dinner," Laura smiles and leads Mary into the front room where the three adults are, "Bert, Mary is here. We'll let you know when dinner is ready." Bert beams over at Mary.

"Hello Bert, Rebecca," Bert quickly gathers her into his arms, revealing her warmth and smell.

"Cor Mary! Don't you look beautiful," Mary does a twirl to show off the beaded gown. Bert places a gentle kiss on her lips. As they part, a huge smile is plastered on both of their faces as blue eyes meet blue eyes.

"You look quite dapper as well, Mister Alfred. My goodness, you cleaned up and put on a nice suit," Mary chuckled as Bert mimicked her twirl. "Happy Christmas, Bert,"

"Happy Christmas, Mary," a throat clears behind them that startles them from their world. "Mary," Bert gestures to the two younger women on the couch, "you know Rebecca. This is my Uncle's niece, Jane. This is her house,"

"Thank you for having me," Mary extends her hand, and Jane shakes it with a smile.

"Let me tell you I'm glad you're here,"

"Why's that?" Bert wraps an arm around Mary's waist bringing her in close. Mary naturally curls into him, resting her hand on his chest.

"Maybe now that Auntie Emily and Uncle John will stop asking Bert and I will make our marriage official," Jane laughed and turned to Rebecca, and missed the hurt look that flashed across Mary's face.

"Bert…" Mary takes a step away from Bert's warm embrace, "never told me this story," Bert looks at Mary and sees the hurt in her eyes. His mouth drops, trying to say the words but coming up with nothing. "Bert, must you always look like a codfish?"

"Oh, Mary, it's nothing," Jane laughs and tries to defuse the situation, "Bert and I have known each there since we were kids. We would constantly playhouse. Uncle John would take pictures because they were cute," Jane goes over to the bookshelf and takes down a picture book, and quickly flips to a series of pictures. "I mean I was eight, Bert was ten. Uncle John and Auntie Emily had just started talking about getting married. It was funny just two kids having fun," Mary runs her fingers over the faded photos. She flips through the book and finds so many pictures of the two, of Bert's family. Playing house. Having a tea party. Having a little wedding. Painting. The list went on. "They just make fun of us for it,"

"You were so little," Mary sits down on the couch next to Rebecca and continues thumbing through the book. The three others look at the dark-haired woman and watch as a tear runs down her cheek. She quickly wipes it away and sets the book down before making her way out of the room. "I'm going to see if your mother needs anything." Bert watches her retreating figure and the soft click of her heels.

"I'm sorry, Bert, I didn't…" Jane looks at her cousin with panic.

"It's okay, I don't what happened." Bert looks down at the book and sees the picture that Mary had stopped on. It was a photo of Jane in one of her mother's white dresses, that was entirely too big for her, and a veil and flowers and Bert in a dashing suit kissing her on the cheek.

Mary quietly snuck out the back door as the music continued inside. She placed her wine on the ledge of the deck before she ran her hands up and down her arms. Mary watches the snow gently fall, reflecting on the night, dinner had been wonderful. Bert's family was warm and convivial not a moment went by with a joke, a laugh, a smile, or a declaration of love. The adults recounted the younger one's youth, telling Mary all the embarrassing stories. However, Mary couldn't shake this feeling that was weighing heavy on her heart.

"Little cold to be out here without a coat," Bert drapes his suit jacket over Mary's shoulders. She pulls it in tight with a soft thank you. "Now are you going to tell me what's going on?" Mary looks up at him sheepishly.

"It's just…" Mary turns to him, "how long have we known each other, Bert?"

"Well, I'd reckon that we're going on eight years now,"

"How long have you known my whole family?"

"I'd say about six,"

"Why am I just now meeting your parents?" Bert looks at her a little flabbergasted, "in a house that isn't theirs?"

"Mary, it's Christmas. It's always been our tradition to have it here,"

"That wasn't what I asked, Bert. Why do I have to meet your parents on a day that they aren't one hundred percent themselves? They are lovely people, Bert, and I would love to have seen your mother's paintings that were telling me about or your father's workshop that he is so very proud of," Bert looks back at the brightly lit house and sighs.

"Because I know this is what you're used to," Mary places a hand on his jaw and brings his face back to her. She smiles warmly at her sweep.

"I want to get to know the little boy in the picture with his mom and cousin with paint all over their faces," Mary smooths some non-existent wrinkles in his collar. "If I wanted more of this, I would have accepted any one of the courting offers I've received,"

"Mary, I…"

"But I fell in love with a sweep, who might not have the most money in the world, but I'll let you know what he does have a lot of,"

"And what's that? Piles of dirty laundry, sparse cupboards?" Bert sulks away, but Mary's hand clutching his stops him from getting too far.

"Jokes, so many of them…good and bad. He always makes sure that everyone has a smile on their face when they're with him. He has so much love for others and given to him. I don't know one person in his life that can say an ill word against him because he radiates compassion and understanding. He radiates the purest of warmths. I don't think there has ever been a night that I have spent with him that I don't feel like I'm safe and cared for. I don't need more niceties, Herbert,"

"But, Mary, don't you see I can't give you this," Bert gestures to the grand estate, "and all I want to do is give you the world," Bert looks glumly at her, and Mary smiles and wraps her arms around his neck, Bert's jacket tumbling to the ground.

"Bert, don't you see?" Mary presses her forehead to his looking deep into his eyes as Bert's hands travel down her bare arms to her hip, "you already have."

"Awwwwwwwww." Bert and Mary look towards the door to see Bert's family looking out towards the couple.

"Do you guys mind?" Bert glares at them, "my lady and I are having a proper discussion," Mary laughs, burying her head into the crook of his neck.

"Well, you two you are having a proper discussion under a mistletoe, so you guys can finish that discussion after a kiss," Jane points to right above the couple, and sure enough, on the veranda, a sprig of mistletoe hung.

"Why do I always seem to be caught under these with you?" Mary smiles up the plant.

"A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be…" Bert pulled her in close, crushing his lips to hers, the quick yet passionate kiss earns applause from his family.

"I love you, Bert,"

"I love you, too, and we'll go to parent's soon because I know mother will love to get your input on her masterpieces,"

"I'd really enjoy that."

"Me too."

Well, I hope you liked it! I enjoyed writing it. Now the last ones only need editing, but I am working on a few other things, so they'll be out soon!

Love,

KMA