The pavement was painted with raindrops. They fell softly, in groups of ten or so... used sparingly, like pepper. The morning air, though brisk, was still and silent. Clouds gathered in the center of the sky for a meeting. The sun waited behind their silvery curtain.

Somewhere nearby, a door swung open and shut, barely audible. From the enchanted door came Mary Poppins, humming to herself.

Somewhere far away, an artist abandoned his paintings. The rain began a war with his pastels. Standing up, and placing a hat on his head, was Bert.

Somewhere, roughly in the middle of these two common places, they met.

And what a meeting... Gentle kisses passed to each cheek. The soft rubbing of noses. A warm and steady hug.

"How are you, Mary?" Bert asked in a velvety whisper.

"I'm sure you could guess the word."

With one of Bert's arms around Mary's waist, the journey up the street continued. The cobblestones were wet, and puddles began to form at every corner.

"This is like the day we met, Mary."

She chose to ignore him. Mary was never one to be sentimental, or emotional at all. The fact that her head was resting on his shoulder was even a step too far. She would scold herself later.

Bert, however, knew how to handle her robotic behavior. He took his hands off of her waist and distanced himself.

"So it is." She agreed, inching back toward him, weaving across the street.

His hands returned. Mary enjoyed this system of positive reinforcement, though she did not, and certainly would not, ever express that.

The rain began to fall faster, nearly leaping from the sky. Meanwhile, the clouds flashed to a hollow grey and scowled.

"We should go someplace indoors." Bert informed her.

"That will not be necessary."

With that, Mary revealed her umbrella. At once, Bert reached for it.

"I will hold it myself, thank you."

"Oh come on Mary! I insist."

She opened it and held it between them.

Bert rolled his eyes and reached for the umbrella again.

"Now stop it, Bert. You may accompany me home."

Promptly, Bert seized the umbrella and ran, beginning a game of keep-away. Mary sighed and followed him.

"Oh Bert, stop it. Right this instant!" She managed to keep her stiff tone, though she wished to add a giggle.

He dashed forward to the park, and ducked behind the gates as the rain fell.

"Bert, you realize that this nonsense certainly isn't shielding me from the rain."

She had caught him there.

Obediently, he trotted back to her side, and opened the umbrella.

"Bert, hand it to me."

It was too late. Bert's shoes hovered an inch over the ground.

"Now let go of it."

With several harsh jerks, the umbrella rose another few feet in the sky. Then, rapidly, it proceeded. Within a minute, Bert was flying amongst the oak trees of the park. Mary walked under him, down the smooth, paved path.

Mary rolled her eyes.

Childish.

She flicked her wrists and immediately left the ground. She floated up beside him.

"Hand it to me."

"Oh, come on Mary! You're no fun."

"But I am certainly sensible."

Before she could start complaining again, Bert leaned to hold the umbrella over her. He allowed Mary to hold onto the umbrella, but he didn't dare let go.

As a final flourish, he put his arms around her. Slowly, Mary began to pull them both downward.

She allowed him to kiss her, until they reached the ground again.