An excerpt from Emma's diary
November 2, 1916
We arrived on Earth today! I had to search for a little to find the Silver Bird Inn, but I did eventually. On my way there, I passed the Charity Apartments, where Bert lives. Heavens, it is ghastly. Mary and Bert had better move into a proper house when they are married. So back to Mary. I got to her rooms and knocked on the door, and when she opened it, she almost smothered me with a hug. I had to push her away so I could breathe. After she let go of me, she picked up Eddie and spun him around the room. Wilson and I stepped inside and set our things down. Mary gave Wilson a handshake instead of a hug, because Mary always pretends not to like him. I know she secretly loves him, though. We sat down to a nice lunch (we arrived around noon) and Mary sent for Bert.
He came a bit later, and when he walked in I had to remind myself that I am married. Bert is so handsome. He also just has this air of playfulness and confidence that would make any woman swoon. We all stood up to be introduced and Bert shook my hand and then Wilson's. Once he finished he knelt down in front of Eddie.
"Is this my favorite future-nephew?" He said. Eddie giggled and Bert smiled at him. Mary looked on lovingly. Mary really does love Bert, and I am so happy for her. She needed a friend, someone who could see her for who she is. And Bert does. After he stood up, he put his arm around Mary and smiled at her. Oh they are just the most adorable couple! I can't wait for the wedding!
. . . . . . . .
An excerpt from Mary's diary
November 6, 1916
It has been so wonderful to have Emma's family here. Bert has visited us, only to play with Eddie, nearly every day. He has even carved a little toy dog for him! It is the sweetest thing to watch them together, and it only reminds me that Bert will be an amazing father. Until then, he will dote on Emma's children. (She looks a little rounder in the belly, and I believe they are expecting. I hope it's a girl!) Last night, Bert even stayed late enough to put Eddie to bed. He rocked him in the rocking chair and told him funny stories. I might have watched from the doorway. Once Eddie had fallen asleep, he set him on the extra bed and brushed Eddie's hair away from his face. I am even more in love with him, now that I know he can be so tender towards children.
Emma and I have not been able to bring up the topic of Mother and Father's deaths. If I even think of it, my eyes get watery. Thankfully, Bert is always there with a comforting hug or an arm around my shoulder. How did I ever find him? An angel fell from heaven and happened to become my friend and fiancé.
. . . . . . . .
An excerpt from Bert's diary
November 14, 1916
It was our wedding today! It was a beautiful, bright day, and I'm sure it was the happiest day of my life. I whistled and skipped all the way to the church. I wore my best suit, but it wasn't quite what most people would wear to a wedding. It was a little torn and had more than one stain, but it was my best, and luckily that's all Mary wants. The chapel was nearly empty, except for Emma's family and my brother, Jack. Thank goodness he was able to make it! His gift ceremony was rescheduled for next month, so he was able to spare a few days for us. I stood at the front of the chapel, waiting for Mary, looking out over the few people there. Emma was bouncing a crying Eddie on her lap while Wilson tried to distract him with funny faces. I can't wait for Mary and I to have children. I've always had a soft spot for little ones.
The large doors at the front of the church creaked open, effectively bringing me back to the present. My wonderful Mary stood at the door, a vision in white and lavender. I won't try to describe the dress because I knew I couldn't do it justice, so I'll just have to remember it. Her hair was styled up with a few loose curls hanging around her face. I couldn't have taken my eyes off of her even if I wanted to. She looked up at me with a small, bashful smile, blushing slightly. I returned the smile, though it was laced with excitement and wonder. Wilson stood up and walked back to her, offering his arm to walk her down the aisle. Even Eddie was silent as the pair approached me, stopping at the stairs. Mary left her brother-in-law and came to me.
"You look perfect, love." I said.
"Practically perfect." She responded, giving me a cheeky smile. The reverend performed the ceremony and then I kissed her. It was sweet and tender, an ending and a beginning. It was the end of a life with her parents, the end of staying on Ondera, and the end of living in fear without those things. We would get to start a life together, have a family and our own home. We would face the odds together, supporting one another and loving one another. We broke apart and I took her hand, leading her back down the aisle and into the arms of her teary-eyed sister.
"I am so happy for you, Mary! I mean, when you reached 30, I began to despair you would never marry, but you've done it!" Mary raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes over Emma's shoulder, causing me to chuckle and Wilson to smile. Emma let go of Mary and I embraced her, kissing her on the head. I pulled away and Jack made a gagging motion. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"I'll be comin' to your wedding one day, Jack." I said. He scrunched his nose and shook his head. I ruffled his hair and smiled.
"Food time!" Eddie shouted.
"I do believe it is 'food time'. Let's have a picnic on the church grounds." Mary said, leading the way out of the chapel. I grabbed the picnic basket on the way out. We all sat on the picnic blanket and Eddie ran circles around us. There was a slight breeze and a few wispy clouds in the sky. It was truly idyllic. Suddenly, a paper floated down to the ground right next to me. I looked over it briefly and was about to throw it away when I noticed something.
Nanny wanted!
Please visit number 17, Cherry Tree Lane
3:00pm, November 20th
"Mary, take a look at this!" I handed her the paper. She searched and then found the advertisement and gasped.
"This is exactly what I need! It's perfect! It's… supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" Mary said, beaming. Emma raised an eyebrow at the made-up word, but said nothing.
"Super… super…" Eddie tried to say the word, but couldn't.
"Super… cali… fragi… listic… expiali… docious." Mary said for him, repeating the segments that he couldn't quite say. Eddie jumped up and down, chanting "Superfragidosho!" It was adorable.
The day was truly perfect.
. . . . . . . .
An excerpt from Mary's diary
November 21, 1916
I used mother's wind gift to get to Cherry Tree Lane. When I landed in front of the house, the wind blew all the other women away. It was an accident, but I was grateful for it. I needed the job if I was going to be able to help Bert support a family and live in a decent home. We absolutely could not live in the Charity Apartments or the Silver Bird Inn. I tapped on the door with the parrot head, which complained loudly, and waited. A confused housekeeper let me in, likely wondering where the other women had gone. On the outside, I was perfectly put together and calm, but on the inside I was afraid. I had never been a nanny before, but I was sure it shouldn't be too hard.
The housekeeper led me to an older man, whom I presumed to be the master of the house. He reminded me forcefully of my father, with his dark hair and his no-nonsense attitude. He introduced himself as Mr. Banks, and I, of course, was Mary Poppins. We discussed the job for a bit, and I was starting to wonder if it was right for me when a knock came to the door. The housekeeper opened it and I first saw his two children. They were both adorable, blonde little things, reminding me of sweet little Eddie. They seemed to be perfect angels. Until I saw who else was with them. The policeman.
Oh dear, these two were going to be trouble. The man explained how the children had been out in the park, alone. Mr. Banks, their father, seemed exasperated but not surprised. He scolded them, but I saw a bit of relief in his eyes. He had been worried about them. In that moment, I saw my father in him so much that it almost brought tears to my eyes. I would help this family and not just the children, but the parents too. I would not let the children lose the chance of coming to
understand and love their father like I had. I would put all my time and effort into helping them grow. I would be a teacher, a mother, and a nanny to them. I would do all of this, but I would still be me:
Mary Poppins (Alfred).
The End