The next few days, the two spent mainly in the hospital on Elizabeth's side. Matthew was also there, but he was not allowed to visit her more than twice according to Mrs. Fisher because Liz needed her rest. Her condition improved fortunately, but she slept most of the time and did not even know she had visitors. But when Mary and Bert entered the room about a week after the girl was brought to the hospital, they found her standing by the window. As the door closed, Elizabeth whirled around, grinning at her visitors with slightly tired eyes, "Come here, you have to see this!"

The adults stepped closer and followed their gaze: "Have you ever seen London from above? I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! "

Bert had to laugh as Mary glanced at him, her look saying something like ‚If she knew'

"You know, Lizzy ... I often see London's rooftops."

"Really?", Her eyes widened and sparkled.

"Yes, I'm not just a street musician and artist but also a chimney sweep. It's my job to be on the roofs. "

"Wow!", She turned to Mary, "and you Miss Poppins? Have you seen that, too? "

Miss Poppins, the nanny was surprised that the little girl did not simply address her with just a normal 'you'. On the other hand, she still called Bert ,Mr. Bert'.

"I visited Bert on the rooftops - so yes"

"May I visit you, too?"

"Err...", Bert scratched his head while Mary had to try to hide smiling. As soon as the little one was better, she wanted to dance around on the roofs.

"Pleaseeeeee," she pleaded, clinging to his sleeve.

"I don't think Mrs. Fisher will be happy about it ..."

"I don't care!"

"You should first get well and then you can discuss it," Mary interjected, leading Elizabeth to her bed.

"Ohhh, you are like strict parents," Liz mocked as she covered herself and crossed her arms.

Mary and Bert froze at these words- they gave each other a shocked look. Quickly they wanted to forget this but still thought the same thing: what if? However, they rejected this idea as fast as it came. Fortunately, this strange mood was interrupted by a knock on the door and all three turned to the source of the noise. With a creak the bulky door opened and a doctor and the nurse from the first day stepped inside.

After a friendly greeting the doctor asked Elizabeth: "Well? How are you today? As good as the last days?"

"Better! Much better!"

„I am glad to hear that," he turned to Mary and Bert, "I like Elizabeth's condition. And I am pleased to announce that she is allowed to return home. However", he turned back, raised his forefinger and looked at the girl admonishingly, "you have to stay in bed. Excursions like last night are taboo! "

"What kind of trips?" Bert asked, stepping forward with his arms crossed. Elizabeth smiled shamefaced and hid halfway under the blanket.

"I didn't do anything," she muttered meekly.

The nurse stepped towards them and said, "I caught her last night when she wanted to take a little walk outside. I won't tell you the details."

Elizabeth beckoned to Bert, who leaned towards her. "You can climb down very good. " He wanted to look at her admonishingly, but that failed - he was the same when he was her age. He climbed up and down everywhere and always wanted to experience something new. The only difference: he had not been dying more or less a week earlier. In general, he was just thinking about his childhood and noticed some parallels between him and Lizzy. She was very much like his younger self. Only when it comes to stealing they distinguished themselves-Bert would never have done something like that and never would. He was so lost in thought that he did not realize that Mary and Lizzy were standing in front of him, waiting- ready to leave. Well... Lizzy more than Mary. And what he had not noticed: Elizabeth must have stolen his cap at some point, because she wore it, even if it was too big. "When did you take my cap?"

"When you didn't pay attention."

The nurse and the doctor said goodbye to the three with a smile on their faces, and it didn't took long before Liz was wrapped in her jacket and a scarf Mary had knit at the beginning of her stay, and stood waiting at the door. Again and again she fixed the cap, as it slipped over and over again. "Are you coming? I want to get out of here!"

Mary and Bert looked each other in the eyes for a moment before putting on their jackets and walking outside with the girl. The little girl walked down the corridor as fast as she could, but she was still weak. Outside they were greeted by the most beautiful winter wonderland and Elizabeth beamed all over her face. Suddenly the weakness was forgotten and the strength returned. "I ask Matthew if we're going to sleigh ride!", She was about to run off when Bert grabbed her by the shoulder. "You're not going anywhere, young lady. You heard the doctor. You-"

"Yeah, ‚you have to stay in bed. Excursions like last night are taboo!' I'm not deaf, "she rolled her eyes.

„Not in such a tone, Elizabeth," Mary warned.

The trio made their way to Bert's apartment where Mary cooked tea and the other two worked together on a small picture. In search of a particular brush, Elizabeth noticed a thin book whose cover she found beautiful. She took it and went to Mary and Bert, who were now sitting at the table, "What is written on it?" She held the book up like a trophy- but it was upside down.

Bert put down the cup, took the book with a sad smile and turned it around: "It says, 'Jolly Holiday'. Look inside."

Elizabeth opened it and saw many of Bert's drawings. „Have you drawn all of them?" She asked in disbelief and flicked through the pages. Each painting was a masterpiece on its own, but the most beautiful in her opinion was one that showed the view of Big Ben from London's rooftops.

"Yes, it was a birthday present I got from Mary" he looked over at her and winked at her. He never wanted to have birthday gifts, but this one was different. He loved it and kept it in honor.

Not much happened on this day. Elizabeth and Bert still painted until dinner and Lizzy had gone to bed, or more to couch, right after supper and immediately fell asleep. The adults stayed awake, playing chess quietly- they didn't want to wake up the girl.

But when Bert began to yawn more and more, they decided to go to sleep. But there was one thing that struck them: the sofa, Bert had been sleeping on in the last few days, was occupied by Elizabeth and he had thrown away the mattress, which was more damaged and uncomfortable the he admitted at the day of Mary's return. Both looked at each other questioningly.

"I can sleep on the floor."

"Are you crazy!? It is freezing cold! You'll get ill... And I do not want that...", her voice was not more than a whisper at the end.

They stared back at the bed and Bert scratched his head: "Actually, it's kinda big... If you are very close to the wall and I sleep on the edge then it'll be okay I think."

Mary nodded silently. It would not be the first time they shared a bed...

As soon as you have more than a week off, you already have a writer's block ...

Nevertheless I hope that, despite the strange formulation, you liked this chapter :)

Maybe I'll write Christmas chapter, but I can't promise anything hehe