"Girls," Bert started after a slight pause in conversation, "I think it's time you 'eaded up to bed."
The obedient girls put their schoolwork away and ran upstairs-not without quick glances back.
Bert told Mary to sit down and asked if she would like anything to eat or drink.
"Umm." Mary said thinking. She realized she was playing with her hands. A cup would silence them. "I could always go for a great cup of tea." Mary said
"I should 'ave guessed." Bert stated.
He walked into the kitchen. Mary sat down on the couch, thankful for the time to form her words. How would she be able to do this? How on earth would he react and how did she want him to react? Well, only time will tell.
Bert came back a few minutes later with two cups full of steaming hot tea. The familiar scent filled Mary's nose.
"Ta." Mary said thankfully.
"You're welcome." He paused. "Now, you said you 'ad some news?" He asked cautiously, not knowing if he wanted to hear.
"Well, you see…" She paused. She couldn't form the words. She quickly took a sip of her tea. Bert put his hand on her arm holding the tea cup to her lips and slowly lowered it.
"Ah, ah ah. Mary? Are you nervous?"
She nodded slightly.
"What I have to tell you Bert, is big. Very big. Life altering big." She set the cup back on
the plate.
"Well, Mary. Shoot. Whadave ya got to say?"
"Bert. I've been let go."
"Let go from what?"
"Them. I am no longer a nanny. I'm not obligated anymore." She said, fiddling again with the cup in her hands.
"My-o-my. Mary. This is excellent news!" Bert exclaimed smiled broadly. He looked up at her sad expression. His smile faded. "This is exc'llent news, right?" He asked, cautiously.
"Well… This is what I have always wanted. The ability to feel, the ability to form relationships," She paused. "the ability to love." She said quietly, almost incoherently.
Bert looked up into her eyes once more. What did he see there? What had she just said? That she was ready to love?
"You see, the thing is that I have no where to go. I have no money, I have no home, and you're the only true friend that I've ever had-"
Bert stopped her in mid sentence.
"Mary. Would you like to stay 'ere? You know I'd love it!" Bert said excitedly.
"Oh, Bert. If I wouldn't be a burden to you and your family…" She said starting to cheer up.
"Mary. You could never be a burden! You're also my best friend. You know what? You're the only real friend I've ever known too-" he paused. "Except for my wife, but since she's gone, I had no one I could really talk to." He said sadly.
Mary didn't want to press, but she had to ask him about her.
"What was she like?" Mary asked quietly, sipping her tea.
He sat back on the couch thinking. He took a sip of his tea. He placed it back on the plate and placed the plate on the coffee table.
"She was lovely. She 'ad red 'air, the kindest eyes I've ever seen, and freckles that were all over 'er face." He laughed. "She always 'ated 'er freckles." He paused. "By the end, she was so pale, they would stick out like a crow in the snow." He said, momentarily reliving the last few days of his wife's life.
"She sounds lovely, Bert. I wish I would've gotten the chance to meet her." She said kindly.
"Oh, she would've loved to meet you." He said, smiling.
"Ah, Bert. May I ask how she passed?" She said, treading lightly.
"Oh, why sure. 'er last days were consumed with tuberculosis. She 'ad only a light case, but, darn 'er, she just 'ad to go out and tend to the animals one wintry night." He laughed. She could see the pain in his eyes. She put her cup on the table and touched his arm slightly. He stopped and looked up at her. He had missed her for so long. Her eyes were big and blue, staring at him. He was staring right back at her. She thought she felt him moving closer. She thought she felt herself moving towards him. No, this couldn't be happening? What happened to her motto? "Practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking…she kept repeating that in her head until she felt Bert's lips meet hers. She was shocked at first, but eased up a bit, loving the feelings that were being shot from her head to feet. She was tingling. She was loving this. She-pulled back.
Bert looked at her confused. Mary found this look so adorable, she thrust herself to him once again. Bert kissed her back, furiously. They were both letting out emotions that have been behind a wall, locked in a closet for years and years. Bert deepened the kiss, Mary shocked, but eager to respond. He pulled away slowly, placing a kiss on her slightly upturned nose.
She smiled.
They leaned back on the couch, his arm around her and they just sat and watched the fire burn down to mere embers talking about anything and everything since they had last seen each other. He took her bag and helped her up to the guest room. She followed him inside. He put her bag down on the chair. She wandered over to the window and looked out. She gasped. She saw the sun rising across the English countryside. She had only truly seen one of these in one of Bert's drawings. Things were working out perfectly. Bert walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see him there, and smiled. He turned her and kissed her once more. It was a very innocent kiss. After he pulled back, he smiled at her and whispered, barely audible, "I love you Mary Poppins. I always 'ave and always will, and no one can change that." He said, kissing her forehead and walking out of the room. Before he closed her door, he poked his head around it." 'ave a nice night of sleep, Mary Poppins. Tomorrow will be an adventure."
Mary just stood facing the wall, stunned.
