Beautiful Lily

The age of not believing

Mary left the Pawn Shop and rounded the corner of the building until she found herself down a deserted alley, completely out of sight from anyone and everyone. When she saw that the coast was clear she allowed herself to finally release the sob she had held in since meeting Belle at the diner. She cried into her hands and used the building's outside wall to prop herself up as she leaned against it. She cried to herself for only a few moments, allowing the pain from the emotion to escape through her tears, and when the moment of wallowing had passed, she quickly collected herself drying her face off with a handkerchief she conjured for herself. From within her pocketbook Mary pulled out a small compact mirror and checked her face. When she felt she looked presentable she continued walking down the alley-way and marched onto Storybrooke's main street.

To keep herself distracted from the thoughts that lingered in her head she walked around town to admire the architecture. She walked to the school, then past the diner and then the Town Hall. In front of the Town Hall was a well decorated community board and the brilliant colors of the flyers caught her attention. She saw a young couple with a baby hovering close to the board and watched as the father staple a few signs up onto it. Mary's curiosity got the best of her so she walked up to the board and read the young couple's advertisement:

PART-TIME NANNY WANTED

Trial basis. Must be flexible, kind, loving and understanding.

Pay is negotiable and based off experience.

Contact David or Mary-Margaret Blanchard for more information.

Mary was reading the flyer when she caught out of the corner of her eye, the baby of the young couple staring at her. From his mother's arms, the baby boy stared at her with curious blue eyes and when Mary smiled the baby smiled back, making cooing sounds. At the baby's delighted sounds, the mother turned around to look at the stranger her baby was so amused with.

"Oh, I think someone likes you," the mother with short dark hair said looking back and forth between her child and Mary.

"How old is he?" Mary asked with a smile. She reached over to the baby boy and offered her little pinky which he immediately took hold and gripped. "Oh my! What a strong grip!"

"Eight," replied the father, smiling at the interaction, "going on nine months."

"What's his name?" Mary asked.

"Neal," answered Mary-Margaret.

She looked back and forth between the couple and offered, "If you are looking for a new nanny, I have many years of experience in that field."

The father with piercing blue eyes and short buzzed blonde hair responded, "I'm sorry... I thought I've met every person here in Storybrooke, but for some reason I don't think I've ever met you before."

"My name is Mary Poppins," Mary said introducing herself and offering her hand to shake and greet. "I'm Belle's mother. Or, I believe she goes by Mrs. Gold here."

"Belle! Yes!" said Mary-Margaret immediately recognizing Belle in Mary's face. Meanwhile, David kept looking at Mary skeptically.

"Well, nice to meet you, finally," said David trying to be friendly, shaking Mary's hand briefly. "I'm David and this is my wife Mary-Margaret." With the available hand Mary-Margaret wasn't using to hold Neal she used to shake Mary's. David continued, "Forgive me for seeming wary. Our previous nanny turned out to be a Wicked Witch and because of her we almost lost our son."

"Oh my goodness. How terrible! You have every right to feel as you do. I completely understand your need to be precautious. That must have been incredibly traumatizing," commented Mary.