5th March 1941

Bert lay on the sofa and stared at the ceiling. The next morning he would go to war... again. At the thought of it he felt a nausea arise. He could puke! Not because he pitied himself; no, it was because of the suffering that will happen to others.

Many people would die. And even more people would not see their loved ones for a long time or even lose them. Also Mary and Lizzy. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he watched in his mind's eye as the two women received a letter saying he had fallen.

When he got the news a month ago, he told them directly. Mary had been shocked, but she could hold back her tears and stood firm... At least for now. But Elizabeth's reaction was different: she looked at him incredulously and said he should stop making such bad jokes. But when she realised that he was serious, everything changed. She shouted that they can't do that and that that can't be true. Then she ran out of the flat and sat on a roof crying. She also said that she would normally have left for a few days; but the fact that she did not even have a month with her "foster-father" has made her return after a few hours.

With these thoughts, the artist and chimney sweep slowly slipped into the land of dreams.

—-

Mary came back from her current family late in the evening and found Bert sleeping on the sofa. A sad smile crept onto her lips, but it vanished when she saw the frown on his face. This sight hurt her and she suddenly realised that he would go to war in a few hours. Tears gathered in her eyes and she walked quietly to the sofa. Slowly, she sat down next to him and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead. She closed her eyes and lingered for a moment.

Just as she broke away, she noticed a hand at her waist and only a moment later Bert's lips on hers. For a brief moment, Bert enjoyed the kiss when he suddenly tasted something salty. It took him a moment to realise that it was Mary's tears.

„'ey," he broke away and stroked her cheek, „don't cry."

However, the nanny did not calm down. Slowly he sat up and caressed her back reassuringly: „Shhh... Everything's alright..."

"Nothing is alright, Bert!"

Without another word, the chimney sweep pulled her into a embrace. So they stayed a few minutes and just listened to the rain outside and enjoyed their time together- the last time together for quite some time... Perhaps the last one forever. Mary's thoughts and questions circled. Where would he be? Can she visit him? Would he get a "shore leave" after a while? When would she see him again? And the scariest thing: would she ever see him again?

At the last thought, she snuggled closer to Bert, when suddenly one thing became very clear to her. Without really thinking about it she said three meaningful and magical words:

"I love you"

Even though the words have more or less slipped out, she did not regret it. On the contrary! He should know. Because when would she have the opportunity to tell him her feelings face to face again?

Bert, who stroked her back all the way, paused. When he realised what she had said, a sad smile crept to his lips. Lovingly he looked at her and lifted her chin, so that her eyes met his. Her eyes and cheeks were red, yet she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Slowly he decreased the distance between their faces and kissed her in a way he never did before.

Both lost themselves in the kiss until they fell asleep after a while.

Finally I had the time and motivation to write the next chapter!

Sorry that it took so long but my life was like a rollercoaster lately...

I'm not completely happy with the chapter. I think I have to find my "write flow" again xD

Nevertheless, I am always happy about your feedback! :D