A/N: Got back from the worst camping experience of my life to deliver you all this before I leave for Chicago tomorrow. If I'm not too swamped in Chicago you may get an update on Wednesday too. No promises. Enjoy and review!
It was a relatively nice day, and Bert was up early to take advantage of the cool weather. He had to clean the Lord Mayor's chimney that day, and he wanted to get it done as quickly as possible- he had other plans for the day. Luckily, the work was easy and Bert enjoyed it; he didn't mind being so filthy with soot, in fact, he liked it. Bert was fast and efficient, and the nice weather helped his pace. He thought about the rest of the day and what he had in store. The idea made him smile, and he whistled away as he worked.
Mary had just come downstairs for some tea, and found Uncle Albert sitting at the table reading the paper. He did not look up from his article as he took a quick sip of tea and greeted his niece.
"Good morning my dear, how did you sleep?" Uncle Albert asked.
"Absolutely perfect," Mary's sing-song voice came from the kitchen. Uncle Albert smiled at his niece's apparent high spirits. He knew that she had said goodbye to the Banks, so he had rightly concluded that her mood was because of Bert.
"And what puts you in such a perfect mood today? Besides the obvious flaw that you're always perfect," Uncle Albert said from behind his paper as Mary took a seat across from him at the table.
"Practically perfect," Mary said. "And who said perfection was a flaw?" Mary grinned as Uncle Albert chuckled from behind his paper. "Anything of interest in there Uncle Albert?"
"Not usually. I make a habit of reading it though. I did notice there's going to be a meteor shower in two weeks- always a fascinating sight," Uncle Albert mused. "And what is your plan for the day my dear?"
"Well, it's the same as always. I'm waiting for the wind. Bert mentioned me meeting him again...again tonight," Mary said coolly, thought she berated herself internally for letting slip why she had come to Uncle Albert's so late the previous evening. Uncle Albert just kept smiling.
"And do you plan on seeing him?" Uncle Albert asked.
"Well, I said I'd try. The wind usually comes in the morning or the evening. Seeing as I haven't noticed anything yet, well, I imagine the timing will be unfortunate," Mary sighed. "It's quite alright though, Bert and I have plans for my next day off."
"What about the rest of today?" Uncle Albert asked, confused.
"He's quite busy today, the only time he had was this evening. I'm not up for going out today, so I think I'll retire to my room. I have some letters to write and some packing to do; I hope you don't mind Uncle Albert?"
"Not at all my dear, my home is always open to you. I shall leave you in peace," Uncle Albert said as she got up to return her tea cup and head upstairs. He could hear Mary whistling as she went upstairs, no doubt on the handrail, and Uncle Albert chuckled to himself. She was still so stubborn to admit how much she was in love, even hiding the fact she spent time with Bert the night before. Oh well, it probably came with being practically perfect.
"Oof!"
"Either my chimney has a personality of it's own now, or someone is in it. Hello?" Uncle Albert asked as he got up to inspect his fireplace.
"It's yer ol' pal Bert," Bert whispered from up in the chimney, where he had apparently gotten stuck.
"Bert! Hello my boy, how are you?" Uncle Albert boomed, delighted at his new company.
"Keep it down! Is Mary still around?" Bert whispered.
"She's upstairs, why what's wrong?" Uncle Albert stifled a laugh as Bert hung upside-down, stuck in his chimney.
"I've come to talk to you, but I can't 'ave her around," Bert whispered. "Can you send her out for a while? And whatever you do, don't let her know I'm here."
"I'll try, just...hang on," Uncle Albert said. He grabbed some paper off his desk and quickly put together a phony list of things he needed for Mary to run out and get. He went upstairs and knocked on her door.
"Yes?" she called.
"Mary dear, I know I said I wouldn't disturb you but may I ask a favor of you?" Uncle Albert said as he opened the door.
"What is it?" Mary asked, obviously obliged to do whatever task was asked of her.
"Well I know you didn't want to go out...and I know I said I wouldn't disturb you...but I need some errands run..." Uncle Albert said, fumbling for a good excuse.
"It's no trouble Uncle Albert, I'll be down in a moment," she smiled. Uncle Albert sighed a breath of relief, though he was still concerned about Bert in his chimney. He went downstairs to be sure he was alright, and hadn't fallen out.
"Are you alright Bert?" Uncle Albert whispered into his fireplace. Some soot fell down and made Uncle Albert cough.
"Fine, just a little tight," Bert whispered. "Is she leaving?" Just as Bert whispered his question, he heard heels hit the wooden stairs as they came down to the living room. Uncle Albert stood up to face Mary.
"Uncle Albert, you put tea on this list," Mary said as she grabbed her gloves and began to put them on. "You have plenty in the kitchen, did you really want more? By the looks of it you're stocked for a year or so," Mary teased. Uncle Albert gave a nervous chuckle.
"Are perfect people always so nosy?" Uncle Albert said.
"Practically perfect people maybe," Mary laughed. "Did you really want more?"
"Yes," Uncle Albert replied.
"Alright then," Mary said. Uncle Albert silently waited for her to leave. Mary put her hat on and went to the mirror in the hall to inspect herself before leaving. Bert had very quietly been trying not to move, but a sudden impulse to sneeze overtook him.
"A-CHOO!" Bert spluttered down the chimney, dislodging him to fall right into a pile of soot in Uncle Albert's fireplace, causing both of them to stifle coughs. Uncle Albert's eyes opened wide with fear, and he stood in front of Bert, hoping to hide him in the fireplace. Mary came back into the living room to pick up her list.
"Bless you. Goodness Uncle Albert! Are you getting a cold? Shall I pick up some lozenges as well?" Mary asked, unaware of Bert in the fireplace, stifling another sneeze.
"No, no, I'm fine," Uncle Albert replied nervously. "Go on Mary dear, you never know when that wind will blow." Mary smiled and went into the hall to get her umbrella and go. As soon as the door shut, Bert trumpeted another sneeze.
"A-CHOO!"
"That was close," Uncle Albert sighed as he sat down at the table once more. Bert took out a handkerchief and wiped his face and nose, and sat down across from Uncle Albert.
"Sorry there, and thanks for the cover-up," Bert said.
"Now why did I just dupe my niece into leaving?" Uncle Albert asked with a smile. He was fond of Bert- they were both curious, quirky gentleman with a taste for corny jokes. Both of them happened to love Mary as well, but Uncle Albert was about to find out how much.
"Well, 'ere's the thing sir. I've come to ask you a question," Bert began.
"And what might that be?" Uncle Albert asked congenially.
"Well, I know Mary 'as no family other than you and...you seemed like the one to ask. I imagine you've known about me and Mary for some time now?" Bert hoped. Uncle Albert laughed.
"She tries to hide how madly in love she is with you, it's really quite funny. Of course, I'm well aware, but she's so stubborn sometimes," Uncle Albert smiled. "Like her mother in that sense."
"Really? Well you see, I've come to ask your permission. I've come to ask your permission for me to ask for Mary's hand in marriage," Bert said, and waited. Uncle Albert sat looking at him blankly for a moment. Then he spoke.
"That's MARVELOUS boy!" he exclaimed, getting to his feet and hugging Bert.
"I take it you approve then eh?" Bert laughed, elated at the news.
"Oh, but did you plan on asking her tonight?" Uncle Albert asked, recalling what Mary had mentioned earlier.
"Don't worry, I've got that one all figured out," Bert grinned. Uncle Albert didn't see how, but he knew that Bert had a way of doing things. A man who turned up in your chimney was probably capable of many things. "I wanted to go about this in a proper fashion, thank you."
"Anytime, and you're welcome here anytime Bert. Let me know if you need anything," Uncle Albert said, beaming.
"Thanks Uncle Albert, well I best be off," Bert grinned, tipping his cap as he left through the front door. Getting down the chimney was one thing, going back up was probably not the best idea right then. Besides, the purchase of a little black velvet box wasn't going to be made up on the rooftops, and Bert only had so much time to pick the right occupant of that box. With part of his savings in his pocket, and a tune on his lips, Bert set off. Several blocks away, Mary was whistling to herself as well as she picked out tea for Uncle Albert. Uncle Albert was going to be drinking tea for a very long time.
Look, I didn't mean to leave you at this point in the story before I leave again. I'm sorry, but that'll make it that much better when we get to it, won't it? Thanks for the reviews and concerns- I'm glad there are some people out there that hoped that I didn't drown under a canoe this past weekend. I didn't, so yay! Please review! Thank ya amigos.
Love, Elizabeth