It was a cold winter day in London. It was snowing and storming, so the roads were almost dead. Bert looked out of his window and frowned. Normally he would not go to the park in such weather, but he still had a promise to keep. And he never broke a promise. So he put on his thickest jacket and gloves, wrapped the scarf around his neck and put on his cap.

Outside, he was caught by a gust, which is why he pulled his jacket closer and buried his face in the scarf. It never really took a long time to get to the park, but today it was like a journey.

When he arrived at the park he was alone- Elizabeth was not there. His eyes went to the orphanage and he decided to ask what was going on. If she had a curfew, Matthew would have told him that like before. But the artist hadn't seen him since that day, too. He had a weird feeling because Liz coughed so much besides her injuries. The people from the orphanage knew Bert, as he previously made music here and there, and because the children like Elizabeth and Matthew also listened to his music, when they were in the park. He was also the responsible chimney sweep.

He walked quickly towards the orphanage. Since he only had fingerless gloves, his fingers froze and his face was already hurting because of the cold snow. After a few minutes, he arrived at his destination and rang the doorbell. It was not long before the door was opened and the plump woman stood before him: "Good that you are here, Mr. Alfred. Come with me!"

With quick, small steps she went up the stairs and down a hallway. Bert followed her perplexed and stopped with her in front of a door. As he stepped into the doorway, his jaw dropped slightly. Elizabeth was lying on a small bed. Her skin was as white as the snow outside, and dark circles beneath her eyes. Her breathing was heavy and she was shaking all over. Next to her was Matthew. He seemed healthy, but his facial expressions were worried. Bert's heart broke by this sight.

"She's been coughing a lot the last few days. Tonight the fever came. Matthew was at her side all the time ... "

"Have you been to the doctor?"

"No, that's why it's good that you're here. Elizabeth can't even stand. Could you maybe take her one to the doctor? Nobody here can bring her to him."

With a nod, he went to her and noticed that she was awake.

"Mr. Bert, "she tried to look at him through her glassy eyes and coughed.

"All right, Lizzy. We'll take you to the doctor now. "

"Can I come with you?" Matthew asked, taking turns looking from the chubby woman to Bert.

"I do not know if that's-" but the boy's puppy eyes made the strict woman grow weak, "alright. But you wait in the waiting room! "

Bert put a hand on the boy's shoulder: "Matthew, could you please get a jacket and a blanket for Lizzy? And put on your thickest jacket. It's pretty uncomfortable outside. And I don't want her to freeze even more and you'll get sick, too. "

With a nod, the nine-year-old vanished in the hallway.

"Will I die?", Bert, who was just taking off his scarf, petrified on this question.

"No, you won't", with a tortured smile he wrapped the scarf around her neck. Presumably she has been told all the horror stories about the children who die from their illnesses in the winter.

As soon as he finished his thoughts Matthew came back with a jacket and a blanket. Gratefully, Bert accepted this and put Elizabeth's jacket on with the woman whose name he still did not know.

"Let's go," with these words he picked her up and went down the stairs. Matthew darted towards the door to open it. When Bert wanted to thank him, he saw that the boy's eyes were fixed on Elizabeth. They showed pure fear and he was sure he could see a little tear.

Outside, the four were greeted by a heavy snowstorm but this did not stop them from visiting the doctor. Bert realized how much Elizabeth was trembling and looked at her. Her eyelids grew heavier and her head fell from right to left. He changed his grip so that he could stabilize her head with one hand.

"Hey, don't fall asleep Lizzy. You have to tell the doctor how you feel and whats wrong."

"But I'm so tired ...", her words were not more than a whisper.

"Nevertheless, it isn't good if you fall asleep now... Tell me something."

"What ...", a coughing spell plagued her and Bert felt guilty.

"Alright ...Then ..." he got an idea:

Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-ey

Chim chim cher-oo!

I does what I likes and I likes what I do

Today I'm a screever and as you can see

A screever's an artist of 'ighest degree

And it's all me own work

From me own memory

Bert sang this often when he was painting and Liz always whistled the melody. But this time as she tried to whistle, she was plagued by coughing again. Matthew was always at Berts side, looking at his little friend. This sight hurt the artist and chimney sweep. Not only because of Elizabeths illness -no, also the pure fear in the boy's eyes. He could imagine that Elizabeth was like a sister to him. If she died, it would probably be the second time he lost his family.

When they arrived at the doctor, they immediately lead Liz into the treatment room. Bert, Matthew and Mrs. Fisher, as she had introduced herself to the registration, sat in the waiting room. Again and again they heard a cough coming out of the room. Matthew tapped Berts shoulder and asked: "Will she be healthy again?"

With a tired smile he nodded: "Yes, I think so. You know her."

But deep inside he had a strange feeling. A feeling that told him it wouldn't be easy.

After a eternity, the three were called into the room and were received with a worried look by the doctor. Elizabeth lay on the stretcher and was plagued by a slight breathlessness.

"What's wrong with her Doc?" Matthew blurted out.

"Sit down," he said and pointed to the two chairs next to the stretcher.

The adults did as they were told and Matthew clung to Bert's arm. The doctor also pulled up a chair and leaned forward so that he was at eye level with the boy: "Your sister has a lung disease. That's why she has to cough so much and is in pain. But with the right treatment, she will be well soon, "he looked at Bert," I would like to talk to you in private when this is alright. "

"Of course," Bert realized that the doctor took her for Liz's family. This was not so erroneous. All had dark hair, only Elizabeth's were more reddish, and they had bright eyes: Bert's and Elizabeth's were bright blue and Matthew's gray-blue.

With a nod, Mrs. Fisher took Matthew by the hand and headed outside while Bert and the doctor walked to the window. The doctor watched the snowstorm for a moment before turning to him: "Your daughter has pneumonia - a relatively heavy one. She needs a lot of rest and care around the clock. I will give you medication that she need to take take. It's important! I do not want to scare you, but there is a high probability that she will not survive this winter if they receive incorrect and not sufficient treatment. "

Berts blood froze. Did he just hear right? Lizzy is more or less dying? He looked at the girl, who was coughing again. That the doctor called him her father he ignored at that moment.

"What do I have to do?"

After the doctor had told him everything, Bert picked Elizabeth up and carried her outside. Mrs. Fisher wanted to know if it is really that bad but before she could ask she studied his face. His sombre look said everything.

"What do we have to consider?" Mrs. Fisher asked as they stepped out of the door into the cold.

"She has to take medicines, that I already got. She also needs care all around the clock. She has to drink a lot and needs bed rest because of her fever. If her condition worsens, she must go to the hospital as soon as possible." Bert stopped at a crossing: "I suggest that I take care of her. The other orphans need you and Lizzy needs someone who doesn't have 50 other children around. Only if that's okay for you."

Mrs. Fisher thought for a moment before nodding, "I think that's a good idea."

The adults looked at the girl who had fallen asleep in Bert's arms. She looked anything but peaceful: her face was anything but peaceful and she coughed slightly again and again.

"I think you should bring the little girl to your apartment as soon as possible," the lady straightened Elizabeth's scarf.

"Can I come with you?" Matthew asked Bert.

"You have to ask Mrs. Fisher."

The boy turned to the lady: "Please! I also promise that I will behave... And I'll be back before sunset! "

"Alright ... but only if you do not disturb Mr. Alfred and leave Elizabeth alone."

„I promise!", he clung to the jacket of Bert.

"Thank you, Mr. Alfred. I know that she is in good hands..."

With these words separated their ways and Bert went with the children towards this street.

Once in his small apartment, he put Elizabeth on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Matthew sat down at the foot and did not leave her side.

As Bert lit the fireplace, he heard the boy whisper, "You need to get well, Liz! And I know that you will!... I don't know what to do without you ... You're like a sister to me."

When he started crying, Berts heart broke again.

There he was: with two orphans in his small apartment. One was more or less

dying while the other was afraid to lose his loved ones for the second time. He wondered what it would be like to have children of his own. Could he even afford that? He worked the whole day and the apartment he lived in would never fit in with his wife and children. He had a bed and a sofa, a really tiny kitchen and a table with two chairs. And so the apartment was already full.

In the kitchen Bert prepared a tea for himself and the two orphans. Matthew sat down at the table. "My mom said that you only drink tea at the table," was his answer to Bert's questioning look.

Elizabeth woke up and yawned as Bert put down the cup on the bedside table. „Did you sleep well? I made you a tea. I think this is good for you."

he girl straightened up clumsily and reached for the cup: "Thank you Mr."

Again she started coughing, spilling some of the tea on the blanket.

„Oh, sorry…"

„Don't mind ... But drink something- it's important!"

After the tea was drunk, she lay down again and fell asleep. Matthew also joined her in the land of dreams.

Bert, however, stood at the window and looked into the cloudy sky: "Mary, where are you? I need you... they need you. "

A glance at the clock told him that it was only a quarter to two, so he decided to paint a new oil painting. It was a beautiful alpine landscape with a meadow full of flowers and in the background the mountains. In the meadow stood a small lonely cabin, in front of it stood a nicely arranged table. Due to the distraction, he did not notice that after a while the wind turned and the snowstorm subsided. Nevertheless, he regularly looked to Elizabeth. Only an energetic knock on his door brought him back to reality. He looked first at the clock that showed half past three and then at the orphans: Elizabeth was still asleep, and Matthew was sitting on the kitchen floor, drawing Bert's instruments with a pencil. With a raised eyebrow, Bert walked to the door and opened it. His jaw dropped as he saw who stood before him: "Mary Poppins ..."

He could not believe his eyes but there she stood, almost a decade after their last meeting and she was just as breathtaking as ever.

"It was about time that you open the door. Or did you want to leave me out there the whole night?", she was apparently still the same as then. Graceful as ever she stepped into his apartment and put down his umbrella and bag.

But why was she here? Had she heard his silent call for help?

„The wind brought me here. Somebody needs my help? ", She spoke to him as to her employers and not as to a friend, whom one already knew the whole life.

"Yeah, I ... come with me," he wanted to take her hand but hesitated-instead, he just went forward.

When she was within sight of the bed, that was around the corner, Mary's expression suddenly changed.

"She's very sick. The doctor said she may not survive the winter ... She needs your help, Mary!" His voice trembled.

Mary hesitated for a moment: "You have a daughter?", her voice was much softer and quieter now than it sounded almost horrified. She could never forbid Bert to start a family, especially since she wholeheartedly wished him on the one hand and on the other hand he would be a fabulous father. Or is he already?

"What? No! You …" Matthew stepped into the room and Mary immediately recognized him, ‚Matthew Miller?'

One thing was clear to her: she and Bert seemed to have a lot to talk about.

"Are you here to help Liz?", the boy asked, knowing the woman was somehow familiar to him.

Mary nodded, "Yes ... Yes, I am."

Bert did not notice he was holding his breath and waited to hear her answer. Despite everything he sighed with relief: "Thank you ..."

"What does she have?"

"Pneumonia. The doctor gave me medi- "he stopped when he saw her look, who said more than a thousand words, "I'll bring you the bag. "

After handing her the bag, he knelt down next to Elizabeth and gently woke her up. "Look, Lizzy. Here's someone to help you." The girl blinked tiredly and studied the woman. Meanwhile, Mary stopped and watched Bert. When she saw him her knees became weak. The way he wanted to help the two children and that he was really gentle was just heartbreaking.

"Who are you?"

"Her name is Mary Poppins, she's an old friend of mine."

Mary Poppins put her own medicine on a spoon and sat down next to Bert, so she could give the girl the medicine: "Here, then you will certainly feel better."

Skeptically, Elizabeth looked at the liquid before taking it.

"And? What does it taste like?"

"Gingerbread," she said satisfied.

Mary and Bert smiled at each other, noticing how close they were. Her smile disappeared slowly from her lips. There they knelt shoulder to shoulder in front of the bed and were as close as they had been for about seven years. They looked at each other and found no words. Presumably, they did not quite realize that they were reunited. The cool façade that Mary was laying on earlier was now gone. Only when something picked at Bert's shirt they were brought back again: "I think I have to go now... Can I come back tomorrow?"

„Of course! Should I go with you? It's getting dark and it's still stormy."

"I'll go with him," Mary interjected. The adults stood up at the same time and looked at each other.

"Are you sure? It is not really safe outside. "

"Bert ... I can take care of myself. Besides, it would be better if you stay here with Elizabeth. She knows you and probably call you if something is wrong... Trust me." She simply knew that he could not contradict her and he agreed with a nod.

When Mary returned about half an hour later, Elizabeth slept again and Bert cooked. It smelled like soup, which did not surprise her - of course he would prepare something that was good for the patient.

"I hope you still eat my legendary" he turned and almost collapsed with her, "Chicken Soup." Only a few inches separated them and both instantly took a step backwards, agreeing in silence that it was too much close for their first meeting.

"Bert, I ..."

A fit of coughing interrupted them and Bert walked quickly to Elizabeth. "Are you feeling worse again?" She nodded and shook all over.

"I'm cold…"

Bert looked worriedly at her face and was sure she was paler than in the morning. He picked her up and carried her along with the blanket to the sofa, which stood directly in front of the fireplace. "I hope you get warmer now."

The girl mumbled into the blanket and looked alternately between Mary and Bert. She was so incredibly grateful to them for taking care of her. This was not a matter of course. However, her eyelids became heavier and it was not long before she fell asleep again. They both waited a moment before silently sitting down at the table.

It was Mary, who broke the silence: "Bert, I ... I wanted to apologize."

Unbelieving, he looked up and tried to read her gaze. She looked like she was feeling guilty. "What on earth are you apologizing for?"

"I left before an eternity without even saying a word. And since then I couldn't bear to look you in the eyes…"

"We wrote each other."

„Oh come on, Bert! Letters are not the same as a personal conversation ... ", she hesitated and played with the tablecloth," I should have come back to London sooner ... "

He raised an eyebrow before leaning forward and placing his hand on hers. With a wry smile he said: "You can't do anything about it ... You just didn't find a job here."

"No, Bert. I avoided the jobs here in London... "

When Mary pulled her hand away and stood up, Bert leaned back and looked at her in disbelief.

"What?", his voice was not more than a whisper, "why that?"

In her letters she always wrote to him that she couldn't find a family in need in London and the surrounding area. On the one hand, this seemed strange to him, but on the other hand, he would not have expected Mary to lie to him.

"Things have changed ... I ... I ...", for the first time in his life he saw her speechless - he would never have expected anything like that from her. He got up and stood in front of her.

"Hey ... you do not have to talk about it, if you don't want to. The main thing is you're here now."

When he looked at her with his wry but warm smile, she could not help but embrace him with devotion. Bert stiffened first, before he relaxed and stroked her back: "Everything's fine, Mary."

'Nothing is fine', she thought and closed her eyes.

After they parted, Bert unconsciously rested his hands on her waist and smiled at her. "Now tell me, how have the last few years been?"

"Not much different from the ones before", she sat down again - he did the same, "only that this time I was working a lot in France and Germany. Otherwise it was the same as always: I helped families and was taken to the next one."

"You act as if it were the most normal thing in the world to help people."

"It should be the most normal thing, Bert," her gaze went to Elizabeth for a moment, "besides, you're doing the same right now."

When she saw his questioning expression, she smiled slightly: "You help Elizabeth ... Did you actually adopt her?"

"What? No ... she always annoys the ladies from the orphanage but she can not live here. You know, unmarried, lower class. "The last sentence really hurt Mary.

"But some people think she is my daughter," he laughed slightly.

"That could actually be at first the sight ... I thought so too."

"What the same hair and eye color all matter," said Bert with a played shock and received a warning look from Mary. However, this did not last long, because she had to smile. It was almost like the time when she was not there was forgotten.

They both sat for a while and talked about some of the families that Mary helped and Bert showed her some new works of art. He wanted to hide the portrait he drew on the day he met Elizabeth but, however, failed. Unlike he had expected, she was not horrified but thanked timidly. He was glad she was back, even if she seemed slightly changed here and there.

Towards midnight, they found themselves on the roof, silently glancing over London. Both were clinging to their thoughts and, coincidentally, thought of the same thing: their evenings on London's rooftops dancing and singing. But none of them wanted to ask each other to dance, because despite the amazingly relaxed nature, there was still a certain distance that has developed over the last 6 years.

"One more question, Bert"

"You know you can ask me anything"

"Why does Elizabeth call you Mr. Bert?"

He had to laugh softly: "That's not as spectacular as you might think: the day I met her she wanted to know my name and I said "Bert". She thought it was my last name and called me "Mr. Bert ". I did inform her the next day, but she still wanted to call me that anyway. And I call her Lizzy, which she doesn't like. So we're even. "

Mary just rolled her eyes as he grinned at her in amusement. A moment later, the church bells twelve o' clock and both pairs of eyes wandered to the large watch hands nearby.

"I think it would be best if we go to sleep."

Bert nodded in agreement: "You can take the bed."

Mary's eyes opened slightly and looked at him. She would never admit it, but she had actually forgotten that she had no place to sleep. She was too used to sleeping in a separate room with the families. "And what about you? Elizabeth sleeps on the sofa."

With a weary smile, he stood up and handed her his hand, which she took: "Do not worry about me. I have a plan. "

Even if she did not admit it and never let it show, she became uncomfortable. What did he mean by that? Did he want to sleep with her in the bed? Although they were best friends, so to speak, they were pared for six years. They just were not as close as they once were. Nervously, she made her way back to his apartment.

Once there, he went forward and pulled an old mattress out of the storage room and put it in the middle of the room. "Luckily I kept it. And before you ask: No, I have no problem with that." Both then put on their sleep clothes and wished a good night. Bert fell asleep while Mary spent half the night staring at the ceiling, sleepless and thought-infested.

I hope you liked the nearly 4000 words;) I just had to install Chim-Chim Cheree hehe

In the next chapter, you will learn why medicine hasn't worked :3

From now on there is more of Mary ;P

I think this was my worst translation ever... Sorry! (I'm still looking for beta-readers)