When You're A Sweep You're In Glad Company

by tvsitcomfan

When Bert is a chimney sweep for a family, he wishes he had a family of his own. Mary then comes back into his life once again, trying to show Bert what it's like to be part of a family as he becomes responsible for a little boy. In the meantime, he and John learn a secret that Mary has been keeping.

3. Chapter 3

Bert opened the door to the house and put his chalk in the closet near the door. John looked around the room as he walked behind Bert.

"Hope you like it 's small but it is home." Just then, Mary came out of the kitchen.

"Just in time for dinner. Hope you like French onion soup" John walked up to Mary and tilted his head up.

"You must be Mary Poppins!" He extended his hand to shake hers. She smiled.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you,John." He wrinkled his nose in confusion.

"I told you that she knows everything," Bert exclaimed as he pulled out a chair for Mary. She sat down and put her napkin on her lap.

"So,how did you two meet," Mary Poppins asked John as she poured herself tea.

"We met when he was doing his drawings. He even did a picture of me!" Bert smiled and ate a spoonful of his soup.

"How did you two meet," he asked Mary. Bert and Mary nervously exchanged glances.

"We met a long time ago when we were very young. I want to say twenty years ago. Maybe a little more or less," Mary began.

"You two must have been little! What did Mary look like when she was younger? She must not have always been a nanny." Mary gave Bert a stern look.

"Well, Mary looked the same now as she did then. Practically perfect in every way." He ate some more soup, ignoring Mary's glare.

"Do you mind if I get some sleep,Bert. I'm tired," John yawned. Bert stood up and escorted John to his room. He dug through a drawer of his to pull out an old night shirt.

"You can wear this. You can stay in my room."

"Well,what about you?" Bert laughed.

"Don't worry about me. I'm alright." John quickly got in his pajamas as Bert was tidying up a bit. He turned around to see him laying in bed already. Bert moved to his side.

"Well, if you need me, you know where to find me." He headed to the door and turned off the light.

"Bert," John whispered. Bert paused,looking back in the room.

"Thanks" Bert slowly closed the door,turning around to notice Mary still at the table. He returned back to his seat and took another sip of tea. There was silence for a minute. Bert sighed.

"You were going to tell him,weren't you?" He held Mary's hand and smiled.

"Not without your permission. I just wish it didn't have to be this way." Mary got up from her seat,frustrated.

"Oh,Bert, what utter nonsense!" She started walking towards the guest room as Bert put a hand on her shoulder.

"Remember the day we first met?" Mary's face lit up just then.

"How could I forget? It was the day of my first assignment when I met you."

"I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen." Then Bert paused and laughed.

"Then you started snapping your fingers and organizing my clothes,boy, I thought I was going crazy!" He walked over to the window,leaned his arm next to it and looked out at the starry sky outside.

"What I didn't understand was how you always stayed the same. Not a hair out of place or nothin'. One thing that stayed the same, though, was that you always seemed to be making everyone happy. Heck, a lot of times you charmed them with the tricks you got up your sleeves." He lowered his head. Mary slowly walked towards him.

"You know, someone once told me that nobody has to be perfect if they wanna be loved. They just gotta be perfect in the eye of the beholder." Mary was speechless. Bert walked to the chest in the corner of the room and pulled out a blanket. Mary started back to her room and turned around.

"Bert," she began uneasily," I know this all may seem rather confusing to you right now. I apologize. It's just the way it has to be. For now, that is. I will explain it to you when the time is right. I hope you understand." He sat down on the couch, staring back into her kind eyes. She walked over to Bert, putting a hand on his cheek,lifting up his head. Sorrow was in his eyes. She gently kissed his cheek on the other side. Not an inch from her body moved for a split second as she felt the warmth from his face. She smiled politely and then straightened up. She went back inside her room and shut the door. Bert remained sitting. He noticed his heart was beating faster than usual and he somehow felt lighter. He then shook his head and layed down.