Mary woke up the next morning as the sunbeams tickled her face. She remained with her eyes closed for a moment, enjoying the comforting feeling that filled her. She hadn't felt so well in years! And when she slowly opened her eyes she realized why; she was lying next to Bert, in his arms, in his bed. Her lips curved into a smile as she thought about the last night.

She studied his face: in spite of the injuries he looked peaceful and even smiled very lightly in his sleep. Even though the sight of the wounds hurt her heart, she forgot it quickly and leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips. This was not her usual style, but her feelings were too strong and her desire just too great. As her lips touched his, he subconsciously deepened the kiss and woke up slowly.

Gently, he ran his hand over Mary's waist and pulled her even closer, so that not even a sheet could fit between them. They only parted when they needed oxygen again.

"You can wake me up like this every morning." Bert said with a tired but happy grin. Mary returned the smile before slipping out of bed.

She still wore the comfortable clothes though her hair was not so neat anymore, but slightly disheveled. With another grin, his eyes followed her and enjoyed the sight. He loved this side of Mary and he was sure that not many people knew this side.

Bert completely forgot his injuries - at least until he tried to get up. For just as he sat up, his right side went through a pain he had seldom felt. "Damn!" He growled, biting his lip.

As his curse reached her ears, Mary was immediately by his side. "Are you in pain?" she questioned.

"Yeah... my ribs hurt." But it was not just the ribs; since yesterday nausea and dizziness also plagued him. Furthermore, he still had several memory gaps. But he didn't want to admit that to her.

Kneeling before him, her eyes studied his face. The feelings of happiness disappeared at once and worry spread in her. "Get changed ... then we'll go to the doctor."

He was sitting on the stretcher in the treatment room, while Mary stood beside him and looked at the door, waiting for the doctor.

"Mary... what did Lizzy write on 'er list?" Bert asked, wondering that the girl wasn't already standing in his apartment at sunrise.

"Anything you need to know about a rib fracture, a slight concussion and various bruises... I think imagination and high spirits might have taken over yesterday."

"Huh?"

"I beg you... she is fifteen years old and has only seen a hospital from inside once. And then she was nearly dying."

Just when Bert wanted to start an answer, the doctor came into the room and greeted the two and began to pinpoint everything described on Lizzy's list.

"Good, Mr. Alfred... Would you please remove your shirt so I can take a closer look at the ribs?"

At those words, Mary's head jumped in Bert's direction - she wanted to know if she should leave the room or not. But without looking at her, he opened the buttons and stripped off the fabric.

He turned away from her, because he did not want her to see the injuries. A strange feeling came over her as she looked at his ribcage, marked in blue and red. Bert grimaced as the doctor pressed a hand against his ribs. Automatically, Mary placed a hand on his shoulder and immediately he felt a little better.

After an eternity of various examinations and questions, the doctor straightened up and addressed the patient directly. "Mr. Alfred ... After my evaluation, I can tell you that you probably have two broken ribs, a slight concussion and bruises on the shoulder and knees ... I'm going to give you some medication, and you'll have to rest in order to heal."

When the doctor had left the room, Mary stepped slowly in front of the wounded man and studied his face without a word.

"Lizzy was right..." He broke the silence.

"Yes... Bert… I ..."

Placing a hand on Mary's waist, he pulled her closer with gentle pressure. "It's alright..." He studied her beautiful sapphire blue eyes for a moment before his gaze wandered from her eyes to her lips as he slowly approached her face. He paused for a moment, but as she tilted her head towards him, giving him permission, he kissed her lovingly. The kiss was short, but held thousands of feelings.

When they broke apart, they rested their foreheads against each other until the doctor came in the door again. Immediately, Mary took a step back, blushing. Bert, on the other hand, looked at her with a slightly mischievous smile. If it were up to him, the whole world could know that he was with Mary... Yes, but what did he actually have with her?

It was more than a friendship, that was clear. But were they a couple now? Maybe, but not in the classic way. But he would leave it up to her how she would describe this 'relationship' between them.

After Bert was patched all over his body with bandages and received a lecture on how he needed to take it easy, the two left the doctor.

"How are you?" Mary asked.

"I'm in pain but I can stand it," he assured her with his typical smile before a silence came.

"I've been thinking," Bert broke the silence after a while, "Lizzy was right with all 'er guesses and instructions, right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well... She always seemed so disoriented to me. She never knew what she wanted to achieve in life except a family of course... But I 'ave the feeling that she likes it takin' care of people! I could imagine her working in the 'ospital one day."

Mary thought for a moment about his words: he was right! Then she came to an idea: "What about her working in the hospital to get an insight? The doctors and nurses can always use help, and I think Elizabeth would do well. "

"Johnny's sister is a nurse. I can ask, if something can be set up! Imagine Lizzy becomin' a nurse! "

With a smile, she examined the sparkle in Bert's eyes. She could feel his growing pride! Although Elizabeth was his problem child, she had grown incredibly dear to him. Mary was also sure that the girl would not be where she is right now if she had not met Bert. Sure, she steals now and then, but she had learned a lot from him.

When Bert began to head for the park instead of his apartment, Mary stopped. "Where are you going?"

"To the park."

"Absolutely not! The doctor has ordered you to rest! You should lie in your bed and not traipse around in the park! "

"That may be," he smiled mischievously, "but I still 'ave a little thing t' do." He took her hand and pulled her toward the park.

Arriving at the fair, Bert went without hesitation to a stand at the far end of the park. Next to it lay the collection of posters, which had served as an advertisement for the party. His eyes looked at each row and he smiled as he saw his favourite poster, the one with the view of the park from the rooftops. Mary, on the other hand, stopped a few feet away and watched him with a smile.

"Excuse me," he addressed Mrs. Fisher, who sold the artworks. "'ow much for this?" He pointed a finger at the poster. Mrs. Fisher, sitting in a chair and crocheting, looked up and smiled at Bert.

"I knew you were choosing this one," she got up, picked up the poster and handed it to him. "I'll give it to you."

"But-"

"It's alright- you've done so much for Elizabeth, that's the least I can do to repay you!"

"Thank you very much!" Bert said goodbye, but not without discreetly throwing a few coins in the basket.

Just when he wanted to show Mary his latest achievement, he saw two familiar faces in the immediate vicinity. His smile disappeared instantly. Of course, Mary noticed, so she followed his gaze. It was the two men who had not left her alone the day before. Subconsciously, Bert put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer; his expression was stern.

"Look who it is!" the blond started, "if that's not our womanizer."

Both of them had been beaten up the day before - as it looked even more than Bert and Liz! The chimney sweep and artist wondered when they were so messed up and, above all, by whom- certainly not by him!

Just as he was about to take a counterattack, a young voice sounded behind them. "Careful." Elizabeth said with a look that was positively hateful. At least what they saw of it, for she stood in the shadows, turning only half of her face to them. The eyes of the two men widened and Bert could have sworn that he caught a spark of panic.

"In your place, I'd quickly go away," the girl continued.

"Alright... we… we don't want any trouble ...", the blond said, as they slowly backed away.

"Good..." the teenager said and flashed a nasty grin, making them disappear faster. When they were out of earshot, she turned to Bert, "'ow are you?"

However, her face remained permanently in shadow and she never turned her face completely to them.

"Could be better ..."

"Did you already see the doctor?"

"Yes, he did… And you were right." Mary joined in the conversation and smiled at Elizabeth, who then looked at them with a raised eyebrow and a wry smile. This was about as much as 'I told you so.'

Bert felt a cold shudder when she saw her complete face: she was full of bruises and wounds everywhere, her nose looked pretty demolished. "Maybe you should go to a doctor?"

"Everything's fine," she insisted.

"But-"

"I said everything is fine!"

"We're just worried about you."

"I'm no longer a child you 'ave t' take care of!" With these harsh words she disappeared into the crowd.

"I wondered if she might become more stubborn as she got older," Mary said as she watched her go.

Bert suddenly realised one thing: Elizabeth was no longer the little girl he met a few years ago- No, she was now a teenager.

As always I hope you enjoyed the new chapter :D

Sorry, if the medical stuff isn't really clear. Even though I worked in the hospital (in my time as paramedic trainee) and ambulance (as a paramedic), I don't know exactly what the standard of the 30s were. Of course, I try to research but there isn't very much. In addition, English is not my native language, which is why I find it a bit difficult to write this medical stuff tbh