The day was sunny and bright, as it usually seemed to be when Mary Poppins was around. Her day off was no exception to that rule. It just so happened that Bert shared part of a day off with his favorite nanny,

"You seem awful quiet Mar." He noted, a concerned frown between his eyebrows as they made their way from Mrs. Correy's, gingerbread in hand.

"Really Bert, I'm quite satisfactory thank you." She dismissed him with a wave of her gloved hand, breaking off a piece of gingerbread as if to prove her point.

"Y' sure?" He asked, his frown deepening.

"Yes Bert." Mary said, squeezing his hand for good measure. He jumped a little at the contact but said nothing in reply.

They strolled in silence for a while, munching their treats and enjoying the other's presence, eventually landing themselves on a bench in the park where they had been a month or so before.*

"'Ow are Jane and Michael?" Bert wondered, not having seen the two since their chalk picture outing.

"Quite alright I should think. They're with their father at the bank today, do look out for them for me will you?"

"Anythin' for you Mary Poppins." He said somewhat cheekily, his signature grin turning up his lips.

"Cheeky." Mary scolded, albeit halfheartedly, smoothing her skirt as if it was out of place.

"Wot's wrong? This isn't the Mary Poppins I know." Bert remarked, trying to think of what could have happened to change her attitude so quickly. Their day had been lovely thus far, so what went wrong?

"You won't leave me will you?" His companion asked suddenly, turning to face him, her sapphire orbs brimming with unshed tears.

"'O course not Mar! Now where'd you get an idea like that?" Bert said worriedly, somehow getting the courage to wrap his arm around her shoulder.

"It's just- I always leave, and you might not always wait, that's all." She said softly, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Mary- look at me." He said gently putting his hand under her chin. "When I say anythin' I mean it. Yer gonna have to try a lot harder to get rid of me ya hear?"

"I'm sorry- I'm usually not one to get sentimental." She sighed, reaching into her carpetbag for a handkerchief.

She stood, grabbing her things. "We should be getting back now, or at least you should."

"Wait a minute." Bert said much more calmly than he felt.

"I'm waiting Bert." Mary said a little apprehensively.

He pushed up his sleeves almost as if he was preparing to sweep a chimney.

"What are you doing?" She asked, now mildly confused at this turn of events.

In a few quick strides, he closed the gap between them, and kissed her.

"Now do ya believe me?" Bert asked quietly, still holding on to her.

Mary's eyes were still closed, as if she was trying to savor the moment. "I never said I didn't." She said, just as quietly as Bert put his chin on top of her head.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, just clinging to each other. She wordlessly let go of him, picking up her carpetbag and offering him her arm.

He took it and they walked towards his flat, where she would leave and continue the remainder of his day sweeping chimneys.

"Mary?" Bert asked as they stopped by his front door.

"Yes?"

"Has this changed anything?"

"Would you like it to change something?" She asked, a small smile tugging at her lips

"I would like to- kiss you more." He said shyly, wringing his hands together.

"That can be arranged." She responded primly, her eyes twinkling.

"Au revoir Mary Poppins." Bert said finally, getting out his keys.

"Sweepers luck, Bert." Mary replied, kissing his cheek and before he had a chance to respond, she had whisked herself around the corner and out of sight.

Sweepers luck indeed. He mused as he gathered his brushes and brooms, thinking about how lucky he was to be able to kiss Mary Poppins of all people.

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