Jacob was on his way back home on the bus at the end of the school day. The Day he had in the park was quite fun. And quite an eventful time it was especially seeing a rather thin woman wearing a furry coat that made her stand out like a giant white zit being taken in by the police. The Way she was screaming and yelling at them while they threw her into their squad car was something to laugh about on his way home.
It would be an interesting story to tell his mother when he got home. He would tell her about the day he had. Ever since he had the godmother, and the three good fairies appear in the treehouse in the back he no longer felt sad or longing. He did want to spend more time with his mother undoubtably, but he understood that her job was important. Seeing that woman causing such a stir was a bad sight. She seemed criminal enough the way she was acting. If his mother did not create such a high presence of officers in the important areas of the city then people like that woman could cause untold problems.
It made him think back to his father. Back in the times when the police were hardly ever needed in the city. The Golden times when his family was together in a near harmony like living. Times were great and the city of London was surely a haven anyone would love to live in until the attack on the ceremony when his mother became the Chief that took away both his father and the happy life he once had.
If only it didn't happen as it did. Why did it happen? No one could ever understand why such an act of evil was carried out. What did it matter? What was the point of it all? No one knew for certain all that it had done was ruin the lives of many and sent the city into chaos that it took years to finally make somewhat safe again though the duty of all authority figures were always at their highest and, Jacob's mother was no exception being at the highest rank there was in the Law Enforcement agency.
When those four women appeared before him in the treehouse it seemed they rekindled a dying flame within. Jacob in a brief moment had given up the last amount of hope he had for a brighter future. A Chance to have at least a happy life with his mother. But they gave him back a hope that was lost. Telling him he is a special and something to do about adventures and trials ahead awaited him.
The young boy didn't know what any of that truly meant. Though an adventure or two sounded like fun. Fun was almost foreign to him by that time. When did he ever have much fun since the death of his father and when his mother had to put her work before him? That's really all he wanted right now was to have joy again. He wished it was with his mother. Until times would change when she can finally start spending time with him, Jacob would make do with the fact that someone was looking out for him and that they gave him hope for the future made him smile again.
He couldn't wait to get home. Even if his mother would be there and have to just as soon leave for work again he wouldn't be entirely upset this time. Everything will be alright somehow he was more than certain of it this time.
At home, his mother was indeed there. Sitting at the dining room table she was pouring through newspaper ads. It saddened as well as angered her gravely. Time and again she would always be called back to the department of an urgent matter. Gang leader been arrested, and she must hear of interrogation status and how to proceed with newfound knowledge. A Public disaster that needed to be handled then give a press conference over among so many other things.
She was away far too often by now. She hardly could be called a mother at this point and time. She loved her son, Jacob more than life itself. He was her special light that was the only flicker in a world of darkness she always was drawn into day and night.
She was never home that much anymore. No matter how many promises she would tell she would never be able to keep them. She hated it. But she had to carry on with her duty as no one else could do it better than she could. If there was then she would just quickly hand over her badge and firearm and be a permanent stay at home mother.
She had plenty of money to see to it that Jacob could have nearly anything he would like. Thanks to the work of his father, he had a college fund all set up and his untimely demise gave her a great deal of wealth due to an insurance policy they had set up for themselves long before they had their child.
Even with all that money nothing could ever bring back the one person she would trade all but her child for. Her husband. The Proud officer she was happy with. The one who gave her a son and a good life till she was robbed of him. The evil that festered in the city beneath its once calm and quiet streets was allowed to linger and build up to where many became bold enough to make an attack on the public.
In a matter of minutes everything that was going right in her life was taken from her. All she was achieving was suddenly gone. Her promotion meant little to her as she would given anything to have her husband back. Due to the inaction of the previous chief, it was what allowed those to do what they had done. She would never allow this to happen to anyone else. Her job was just as important as her son. If she didn't do it then it could happen all over again and that's something she could not allow.
But her son Jacob he needed a motherly figure in his life. She was just not around too much to properly care for him or give him the attention he needs and deserves. It seemed rather selfish of her but what other choice did she have?
After she had gotten home she immediately went to the papers and looked at ads for nannies. With a nanny around the house not only could it be upkept, but Jacob would be cared for. Surely with someone around to keep watch over him he would be happy. He couldn't get into any mischief though he was never a trouble child to begin with. Meals would be prepared, and her mind could be at some ease with someone with her child that is known to be both trustworthy as well as dedicated to house and child.
Pouring through one ad after another she looked to see there were plenty of nannies that surely sounded qualified, but nothing truly made them seem they were the absolute best choice. She wanted Jacob to feel safe and welcoming with the nanny of choice. She would have to have a trial period for anyone of them she would call.
At the end of the ads there was a description that had an address on it. It informed readers that if a nanny is what is to be desire then make a letter with all the advertisements that one wishes to have for a nanny.
Preparing a paper and with pen in hand she began to write her letter. She was politely requesting a nanny with all the said requirements she wanted. Thinking of her child and all that he took love and passion for she wrote that the nanny would have to be kind and polite. Firm when need be. Take her child out on outings. Carefully supervising. Treat her and her child with grace and dignity and reward her child when he is being good.
Once her letter was complete she sealed it in an envelope and placed a stamp on it and immediately took it out to the mailbox just before the mail truck came by to take it away. She went back to the house to enjoy a cup of tea but just as she sat back down on the table to go over some reports that needed to be looked over there was large gust of wind that suddenly came from outside.
"Good heavens!" She gasped as she left the window open, and the papers flew all over the room. She ran over the dinning room snatching in hand all the papers and documents that were sent flying from the sudden gust of the wind.
"Odd. Weatherman said we would get nothing more than a simple breeze today." She said putting all her papers back in order on the table setting a vase with a flower on them to hold them down as she shut the open window.
"Where did that all come from?" She asked herself sitting back down unaware that she was about to have a visitor. Coming down from the sky from the clouds above a woman came floating down with an open umbrella.
The Woman was smiling as she floated down to the lone house near the city. Traffic was light on the road and with the drivers focused on their driving no one could see the woman coming down from the sky with nothing but an open umbrella.
She come down near the front of the house landing lightly on her feet carrying a carpet bag of decent size in her right hand. She took a moment to close the umbrella and adjusted her small hat with a white flower petal on it and red bangles on all four sides with another flower lodged within the hat on the right side.
Looking at the house she smiled more knowing this was the place she was meant to be at. She casually walked up to the front of the house in proper stature and rang the doorbell with the parrot headed tip of her umbrella.
"Coming!" A Voice called within the house. The Door opened up and, Jacob's mother found a lady standing tall with a kind smile on her face. She wore a long black overcoat on her covering most of her body with a red scarf wrapped around her neck with white gloves on. She wore black heals and stocks and under the coat she made out a long blue skirt that came down nearly to her ankles.
"Good afternoon, madam." The Woman at the door greeted. "Is this the residence of, Gina Owensworth?"
"Yes, I am Gina." Gina confirmed surprised by the sudden guest. It was not often one would appear at their doorstep unless it was a public official or a fellow officer. "May I help you?"
"It has been brought to my attention that you're in need of a nanny. You are indeed the mother of, Jacob's Owensworth are you not?" The Lady inquired.
This dumbfounded Gina. She had only sent out that letter and it was picked up by the mail truck only five minutes ago. Either the service was working extremely faster than usual or something else was afoot. No possible way her letter had gotten to where it was going to go so fast, and someone would be that much quick to answer the letter.
"Why…yes. Who may I ask am I speaking with?" Gina asked trying to adjust herself trying to not be too surprised.
"My name is Mary Poppins. I come on behalf of the letter you had recently sent out. May I come in?" She asked.
"Please do, Ms. Poppins." Gina welcomed opening the door wider so Mary could step in.
"Thank you." Mary thanked as she walked over to the dinning room table and settled her carpet bag on an open spot opening it up and picked out a letter that to, Gina's great surprise was the very letter she had written. It didn't seem possible at all.
"How did you receive that?" She asked feeling like her mind was going to explode with questions concerning so many of the unknowns that were happening at once.
Mary Poppins didn't answer that question as she read off the entire list that Gina wrote on the letter. All the contents she desired of the required nanny was explained.
Gina almost collapsed on the chair as the letter was exactly how she wrote it. It was the very letter. She wanted to ask again but Mary didn't seem she was interested in telling it. Looking at her figure and the way she spoke in such proper etiquette made her seem like a reasonable and rather outstanding lady.
With her years of being on the force having seen some of the worst in the people she could tell if someone was of ill intent but this, Mary Poppins seems to be genuine. "May I offer you some tea?" She offered.
"That would be delightful. Thank you very much." Mary Poppins smiled sitting down in the other chair at the table while, Gina went to the kitchen and came back with a hot cup of tea for the guest of the house.
Mary took the cup and drank from it holding the tiny tea cup with proper form. Her manners were certainly well put. Perhaps she would be suitable.
"Do you have a list of references I would like to see them, please." Gina asked stretching out her hand ready to see a list.
"Oh, I never make a point to give references. I believe they are very old fashioned." Mary replied setting the tea cup down. "Might I say that was a pleasant cup of tea, dear."
"Thank you but if you do not have any references how can I be certain of your qualifications. Are you new to the job?" Gina asked trying to read through Mary. She didn't seem to be a character of nefarious sort. She was straight to the point on everything but with her experience she had to watch out for anything that could be bad about someone. She wasn't going to leave her son in the hands of a person that could rob her house or do him harm.
"I have a great amount of experience handling children my dear, lady. I am kind and enduring. Perhaps a Trial would be suitable, and wages are negotiable." Mary explained still keeping her posture on the chair not taking her eyes off, Gina.
The way that Mary spoke made her sound very sincere. A Trial is a peculiar option, but it did show more of her own character. Most would demand money up front before a service, but she was giving her the option of allowing a trial of servitude as a nanny.
"A Trial sounds reasonable. I do have a relative high expectation since I am away a lot." Gina explained starting to like, Mary. She was a rare sight in these parts. No one ever seemed as kind and proper she was. She would certainly do for a trial run.
"Then I will gladly offer a week's trial for your work. I will let you show me your work effort and for my son, Jacob I'll let you decide how to take care of him." Gina said hoping she was making the right choice.
Mary Poppins nodded in agreement. "We have an accord then."
"Thank you very much. I look forward to seeing how you put your efforts in." Gina reached over with her hand and, Mary glad offered her own hand, and they shook in agreement.
A Horn from a bus sounded alerting them to the window nearby. They both saw a little boy walk down from the bus as it drove off. "Perfect timing! Listen I have to get back to the department. I leave my son in your hands, Ms. Poppins."
"See to your work. I will take care of your child." Mary promised standing up as Gina quickly headed out the door after grabbing her papers.
"Hi mom!" Jacob waved at her as she left out through the front door of the house.
"Hi sweety. I have to get back to the department, but I want you to know that I hired a nanny to take care of you while I am away. Do well to listen and obey her. And be on your best behavior." Gina told him giving him a hug before going to her car.
"I will mom!" Jacob replied waving again at her as she started her car and drove it out of the driveway and towards the city soon disappearing from sight.
"A Nanny?" Jacob inquired worryingly. He was concerned that the nanny could be one of those kinds that are quite mean and strict. They usually never allowed any sort of fun and though he often was lonely in the house he at least got to enjoy himself with his activities he liked but with a nanny around what would happen with him?
He had no other choice now. Not like he was wanting to stay outside and sleep under the stars. Jacob cautiously made his way into his house where he was greeted by a woman inside that was quite tall and thin but rather pretty in her stature. Not something he was expecting of a nanny.
"Jacob I presume?" The Woman asked in a sweet yet slightly firm tone.
Jacob nodded walking inside and locking the door behind him. "Are you my nanny?"
"Quite correct, young man. However, in my haste of being employed by your mother she failed to give me a quarters. Might you help me find where I could place my baggage and sleep?" She asked.
"Of course! We have a guest room upstairs. Ill show you!" Jacob ran past her and stood at the base of the stairs right next to the smooth railing.
"Then we shall go upwards." Mary Poppins indicated as she walked to the stairs and stepped on one step then sat on the railing to, Jacob's curiosity.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Going up the stairs. A Silly question to ask as you said my quarters is up on the second floor of this house." She replied giving him a rather blank look. She offered his hand and helped him onto the railing but then he felt himself going up it along with her.
"Whoa!" He gasped in shock quickly wrapping his arms around her trying to keep himself from falling but all she did was keep her smile until they reached the top and slid to a stop. She hopped down from it and help him down letting go of her as he got back on the floor.
"How did you…" He was about to ask but she held up her umbrella gently silencing him.
"My quarters if you don't mind?" She implied.
"Right!" Jacob chuckled nervously realizing that perhaps he had a magical person in the house. Maybe she knew the Godmother and the three good fairies? They just went up railing of the stairs without even trying. She was different for certain, and he could bet his shirt that she was unaware of it.
He walked past an opened doored room throwing in his backpack in it barely hearing the soft and angered grunts of the occupant that snuck into his backpack during his field trip. Mary Poppins tsked in disapproval at the sloppiness he showed seeing how much of a mess his room was. There will be time to take care of that later.
"Here you are!" Jacob showed her a room that had a queen-sized bed in it complete with a closet and dresser and large window that showed the backyard. "I know it is not much, but it may suit you."
Mary Poppins walked in putting her carpet bag and umbrella on the bed. She inspected the room and nodded. "It's no Buckingham Palace but it will do." She took a finger to the dresser moving it over and looked over her gloved fingertip. "At least its clean."
She saw there was no mirror in the room and no place to put her coat and hat on. "Oh, this will never do!" She stated as she walked over to carpetbag and opened it up and pulled out a mirror so big that it couldn't have possibly fit in it.
"What the?!" Jacob gasped as, Mary put the mirror on the wall.
"I prefer seeing all my face at the same time." She stated giving him a soft smile seeing him in awe over the carpetbag's capacity looking it over seeing nothing within. "Never judge anything by its appearance even a carpetbag."
"But how it was empty?" Jacob pointed at the bag in disbelieve even grabbing showing it to her seeing nothing within. Mary only chuckled when she came over and took out a large hat stand from it making him drop the bag in shock.
"Always a place to hang a hat is on a hat stand." Mary Poppins stated as she took the stand and put it on the far side of the room and took her hat off along with her coat putting it on it.
"This is not possible!" Jacob backed away from the carpetbag not knowing what else could she possibly pull out of it. He then saw a name tag on it written in cursive. "Mary Poppins? Is that your name?"
"Yes, young man. I trust you will remember it?" She asked walking back over to her bag and reached into it.
"I will for certain, Ms." He chuckled nervously watching in caution wondering just what would she take out next. What came out was a big pot plant.
"A Thing of beauty is a joy forever." Mary stated putting the plant in an empty corner of the room.
"Now then. That's most of my unpacking complete. I shall finish the rest soon, but I think a game is order. Don't you agree?" She asked Jacob who nearly squealed in joy. He has not played a game with someone else other than those at recess in a long time.
"What can we do?" He asked really liking the sound of playing with an adult. Seems this nanny may be quite fun. She already had a magical carpetbag that could hold perhaps a whole house worth of items.
"We will do Well begun its half done!" She stated walking out of the room and headed towards, Jacob's bedroom. "Which otherwise entitled "Lets tidy up the bedroom.""
"How can cleaning my room be a game?" Jacob asked trying not to scoff in frustration. Doing a chore is never fun at all.
"That depends on your point of view." Mary Poppins replied. "You see, in every job that must be done there is an element of fun."
Jacob cocked his head in confusion as they both now were standing in front of his less than clean room. His backpack laid on the floor where he tossed it, but he didn't take any notice that it was slightly opened and the one that was in it took off before he could be noticed.
"All you have to do is find the fun and snap." Mary Poppins snapped her fingers. "The job's a game." When she snapped her fingers again after walking into his room his bed suddenly made itself and within a couple of seconds the blankets were folded, and the sheets were tucked in the mattress and the pillow was in place neatly to Jacobs great surprise.
Mary Poppins then began to sing in a rhythmic tune. "Every task you undertake becomes a piece of cake. A Lark, a spree. Its very clear to see. Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. The Medicine go down. The Medicine go down! In a most delightful way!" She moved across the room continuing to snap her fingers around the various messes and everything began to stack and fold. Put themselves away in proper place.
Jacob was amazed as his room looked alive he couldn't help it but move in himself and stood near his toy box with various toys laying about. He snapped his fingers and every toy figure stood at attention and began to march and leap into the toy box.
He laughed in both amusement as well as amazement. It was magic for sure now. He just snapped his fingers, and everything just put itself away in a wonderful display. It was fun as, Mary Poppins continued to sing away while, Jacob helped clean his room with only a few more snaps of his fingers.
The Rest of the day went on with house cleaning fun. Jacob could've never imagined that housework could become an activity he would enjoy. Just a snap of his fingers and everything went where they should or put themselves away.
Mary Poppins was wonderful. She was very sincere and kind. There was hardly a moment when she didn't make a song out of any activity she did with Jacob from cleaning to even playing an actual game down to a healthy dinner that practically made itself for them both.
It was a splendid day, and it was a shame his mother couldn't be there to enjoy it. He received a call that she wouldn't be home that night. An arsonist had tried to burn down a warehouse and reports were coming in that required her to stay and handle the situation. He wasn't upset as he usually would be now that he had a wonderful nanny to look after him. He wished her the best and bid her good night along with giving her his love.
Mary Poppins had put him in his room as it was time for rest. He was dressed in his pajama's and tucked in and was even given a bedtime story that soothed him to where he finally fell asleep with a smile on his face that was the first time he ever smiled before bed. He never felt so relaxed or comforted since the day he had both his parents.
The Nanny soon retired to her bedroom to get much needed rest but before she did she let those that awaited her to finally let them out from her carpetbag. Three little mice that she deemed not the right time yet for, Jacob to see. Something was amiss in the house that even she couldn't put her finger on. She brought along three little friends of hers that may provide a better insight while she rested.
After a couple hours when Jacob and Mary Poppins were asleep the rat that snuck his way into, Jacob's home finally emerged from a vent in the floor not looking so happy at all.
"That's the last time I decide to travel by bag!" He decreed wiping his tuxedo off as it gathered a lot of dust from hiding in the dirty vent of the bedroom. "Now to claim my prize!"
He snuck across the dark room only the sound of the beating rain that struck against the window as a thunderstorm rolled in during the night. The Thunder boomed but not loud enough to wake the two sleeping humans.
"Now where is it?" He snarled hating that he had to spend the day hiding like the creature he was. He would much rather enjoy a cold drink from a fountain while witnessing a scheme of his come to fruition and be showered with praise by his minions. But with this impending victory it would be worth, and nothing would ever stand in his way.
He crawled up the bedside stepping lightly by the sleeping boy. Ratigan wanted nothing more than to give that human a good scratch across his face for the trouble he caused him, but he would make a mark later as the item he sought was right there on nightstand.
The Amulet was there having been placed on the desk before Jacob when to sleep. "There you are!" He chuckled darkly picking up the amulet with ease. He maybe a rat but his strength was grand enough to live the amulet like it was a mere paper clip.
"Now then. Let's be off shall we?" He grinned hopping over the sleeping boy coming up to the window setting it down for a moment to open the window to where he could walk through. The Rain started to pour in and, Ratigan was at his moment of triumph.
He grabbed the amulet and was about to step out when his tail was suddenly tugged pulling him back in. "What?!" He turned to see three mice one that was thin in a red coat and hat along with a fat one with a yellow shirt and green hat and a female with a red dress and blue hat.
"Give back that amulet!" The Red wearing mouse demanded pulling on the tail of the rat with his two friends pulling him from behind giving him extra strength.
"Unhand me you despicable vermin!" Ratigan demanded as he tried pull himself free, but the mice would not give in.
They pulled harder and managed to get the rat back into the house. "You will pay for your insolence!" Ratigan growled letting go of the amulet and brought out a claw preparing to swipe at the mice that refused to let go of his tail.
"AAH! A RAT!" Jacob screamed as he woke from a commotion and saw a big tux wearing rat near his open window seemingly being tugged by three odd looking clothed mice with his amulet near the rat itself.
Hearing that remark enraged Ratigan. "I AM NOT A RAT!" He spat at the human boy that cried out in terror from the rat able to talk and the mice quickly grabbed the amulet and took it back into the bedroom before, Ratigan could grab and take again.
Mary Poppins having heard the scream immediately ran for, Jacob's bedroom and right when the door opened, Ratigan glared at the mice and boy who stopped his scheme before he ran out of the open window disappearing into the stormy night as lightning cackled and thunder boomed louder to where Jacob had to cover his ears when, Mary Poppins ran into the room and shut the window turning on the lamp and embraced the frightened child as the three mice looked at him with pity but relief seeing that he was okay and the amulet they managed to get back was safe too.