24th December 1941

Mary Poppins walked back from her uncle's house to Bert's flat late in the afternoon. The ground was wet and small puddles were everywhere. The temperatures were relatively mild and there didn't seem to be a white Christmas.

She straightened her gloves as she paused and examined her hands. Her long, narrow and elegant fingers were without any jewellery. There was no ring to be seen. Mary ran her thumb over the ring finger of the other hand and thought: would Bert have proposed to her if he was still here? If so, when? In her eyes, he was the type of person who did something like that at Christmas.

But then bad thoughts came up: would he ever propose to her? He could have done it before he left. Maybe he would have done that if he really cared about her.
After all, she was the person who kissed him first. And she was the one who said "I love you" first.

There were only two explanations for this.

First, he just didn't want to overwhelm her and let her decide when she wanted something or

Second, he didn't really love her.

With a shake of the head, she rejected the latter thought... As Elizabeth and Uncle Albert used to say: just the way he looks at her says more than a thousand words.

The sun was already setting on the horizon and it was almost dark when she got to the flat and went up the stairs.

Mary Poppins unlocked the door and entered the flat when she dropped her bag in shock. At the other end of the room stood a silhouette with the back to her. The figure was tall and narrow and had very short hair.

"Bert?", She asked incredulously and hope spread in her.

"No, it's just me."

"Elizabeth!" said Mary, before walking up to the young woman and pulling her into a warm hug, "you can't imagine how glad I am to see you."

"I'm 'appy too," Liz heard a slight sniff and released the hug: Mary cried. "No need to cry."

Mary, wiped away the tears and looked at Elizabeth: "Your hair is short ..."

"Yea'," she brushed her fingers through her hair, "the long hair was often in me way... now I feel more comfortable."

"You look like Bert"

"I just noticed that," she laughed, "shouldn't we sit down? Make yourself comfortable on the sofa and I'll make us a warm tea. "

"With pleasure."

"Good... I've t' talk t' ya about something anyway."

Mary frowned "Sounds like something serious."

"It is. But nothing bad… at least I think so."

When the tea was ready, Elizabeth handed Mary one of the cups.

"Why are you here? Please don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here. Very glad! But you said you thought you wouldn't be coming back to London in the foreseeable time."

Elizabeth took another sip of her tea before looking at it and looking thoughtfully at the cup. There was a moment before she replied, "Mary, I don't know 'ow to explain that t' you..."

Now the nanny put down her cup. "Everything alright?"

"I don't know… A lot has changed recently… It all started in early November. I was in France when your umbrella suddenly started talking to me," Elizabeth finally looked at Mary Poppins. Her eyes were full of questions.

"He spoke to you?" Mary asked incredulously. No one but her and her uncle could speak to the screen.

"Yes, but not only that. Since the day I can 'ear other animals talkin' too."

"I see... But I still don't understand why you are here."

Liz moved nervously back and forth and a cold shiver ran down her back. She took a deep breath before continuing - a gesture that somehow frightened Mary: "I don't know if it was just a fantasy or something... meaningful..."

Elizabeth got up and went up and down. "When I fell asleep in the evenin', I 'ad a strange dream. I was suddenly in the park 'ere in London. I looked the same as I did all day and there was a box with six cigarettes in my pocket. But everything was empty and the colours were all very pale. As I went further into the park, everything grew darker. I also tried t' lit a cigarette and it worked. But suddenly everything around me went black… Then a strange voice came. Neither male nor female or high or deep... it was just there!"

Mary swallowed. She knew this voice too well ...

"And the voice gave me a task. I should go t' a person who needs me at Christmas... Me feeling will lead me there, as it leads me t' the injured," Elizabeth finally looked at Mary, the fire of the fireplace was reflected in her eyes.

"And I am this person?"

Liz just nodded before pacing nervously.

"There's something else, isn't there?" Mary asked carefully.

"Yes ... As I said: I really don't know if it was just a stupid dream or more... When I woke up I only 'ad five cigare-"

"You digress, Elizabeth."

"We may be related."

And at that moment the world stopped for Mary Poppins. She and Elizabeth... related !? On the one hand, she wondered how that was possible. But on the other hand, this would also explain so many things. "What makes you think that?"

"The voice said that this person is a family member. But I would have t' find out for meself what relation we 'ave. It was said: it can be an uncle but also a 9th degree cousin… I really 'ave no idea 'ow I should 'andle it all. Was it just a dream full of wishful thinking or… do I actually 'ave a family?"

The last sentence broke Mary's heart and she got up to hug Elizabeth. "I can assure you that it wasn't a dream ... I know the situation myself too well for that."

Elizabeth released the hug: "Really?"

At that moment she looked again like the little girl from back when she stood in front of her with her big, questioning eyes. With a slight smile, Mary stroked her arms reassuringly: "Really ... But I didn't know that we were related. But at least it explains a lot."

Elizabeth didn't know what to say. There were so many questions in her head that were just waiting to be answered.

But one thing was clear: she officially had a family and that was the best Christmas present she could get.

While Mary and Elizabeth in London were just digesting the news and talking about the past few months, Bert was sitting alone under the sky tent and reread the letter to Mary he had just written:

Dear Mary,

It breaks my heart that I can't be with you at Christmas. The naive side in me was hoping that I can return to London, even just for one day. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

But I do not want this letter to be "depressed" but wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful time.

I hope you surrounded yourself with people on those days. Maybe Uncle Albert or Jane Banks? Or maybe even Lizzy is there.
Please greet them from me, if you run into one of them, yes?

Unfortunately I cannot get you a Christmas present, which is why I drew a picture. I thought that I should draw London's roofs again instead of just the landscapes that I passed.

I look forward to hearing from you again soon. Merry Christmas!

I love you,

Bert

The letter was relatively short because Bert wasn't really in the mood. But still he had the urge to write it on Christmas Eve.

Actually, he should have written and handed it over so that the letter arrives in London on time for Christmas. But it has been restless lately. His division wasn't involved in a fight, but everything was pretty tense.
Even if many friendships were made among them, there were of course troublemakers. Andrew, in particular, was their biggest troublemaker.

With a sigh, Bert put the letter aside and leaned against a tree trunk as he started to sing:

"Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!"

"Wow," it came when Bert finished and he looked up. Peter stood in front of him, his black hair messy.

"Sorry ... I didn't mean to wake you up."

"Don't apologise... That was beautiful," Peter's light brown eyes lit up.

Bert turned red: "Thank you…"

"Was that you Bertie-Boy?" Came Johnny's voice not far away and only a few seconds later he was in the pale beam of light. Bert only nodded slightly. "I didn't know you could sing so well! Why don't you do that more often? "

"Was never in the mood for it... Besides, I'm not a singer, I just like t' sing…"

More and more men came and stared at him, which was more than uncomfortable for Bert.

Peter spoke up again: "Please keep singing... We can use that this evening."

Bert just nodded hesitantly. He didn't know why he was so uncomfortable; after all, he often sang in London. So he started again:

"Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!"

After a while, more and more of the men joined in and even Andrew came in without making a stupid comment.

So they sat there singing Christmas carols and for that moment everything was fine.

Here is the promised Christmas chapter :) I also have an idea for another Mary Poppins Christmas story. Maybe I can write this tonight or tomorrow ;D

I wish everyone who celebrates, happy holidays and everyone a peaceful time 3