Come What May

Chapter 3

As Mary stepped out onto the street she sighed and a strong sense of relief washed over her like a soothing wave. She felt as if a weight had dropped from her shoulders and she felt fully relaxed for the first time since the news of her pregnancy. She began to walk towards park, knowing full well that Bert would still be there, she felt a slight surge of excitement move through her, like a child with butterfly sensations. She knew he'd be happy for her, not just because it would reduce the possibility of them facing any sort of financial strain; but she knew that he would gift her a smile that would sparkle in the sunlight, a smile that would tell her how proud he was, how happy he was. He would give her a smile that would silently speak a thousand words.

As she neared the park she saw him kneeling on the ground, his gentle eyes fixated on his creations; his artistic hands brushed lightly with the chalk and given enough time, he could transform the rough ground of London into something beautiful. He could make it into something you could lose yourself in, a colourful meadow or a glittering circus...he could make you forget all of your troubles. To Mary, that was truly magical. Her heart warmed at the sight of him, the man that was like no other she knew, the man she adored. She stood behind him, merely a few feet away and simply marvelled at his craft. She had always told him that she could watch him for hours and become amazed as he transformed something rugged into something artistically stunning.

Mary felt her lips pull into a smile, the kind of smile that is uncontrollable; even if she didn't want it there she knew it would stay. He had that miraculous effect on her, this unknown ability to make everything bad melt away when he so much as looked at her, to cause a blush to rise to her cheeks; she wished that she could bottle this feeling, and bottle the way he always looked at her in return. These moments that made her unconditionally happy. Mary took a few steps forward and allowed her shadow to cast over his work. Bert stopped drawing immediately and felt a smile sweep across his face, the same kind of smile that Mary wore. He stood up and looked at her adoringly.

"Back so soon, Mary?"

"It would appear so" She said, almost shyly.

"Well don't leave me 'anging in suspense, what did the Banks say?" His every word was accompanied with a confident smile, as if he knew that Mary was brining good news. Mary kept smiling back.

"Well, you seem to have a pretty good idea already -" she teased, "—but to cut a terribly long story short the Banks family kindly offered me some part time employment!" She announced proudly.

Bert strode towards her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Mary winced again, her nausea still manifesting within her, but the security of Bert's embrace was too dream-like to ask him to stop.

"I'm so proud of you!" He beamed as he pulled away. Mary blushed slightly.

"I really didn't do anything; it's the Banks family we have to thank"

"'ow did Mr Banks handle everythin'? I know he's different since last time, but I know 'e wasn't the most understandin' fella..." Bert said tentatively.

"It's safe to say that he was rather fractious about it at first, I was quite sure that he'd send me away, but after a bit of a one sided discussion on my part, he seemed to come around to the idea..." She smirked. Bert moved his hands to rest lightly on her shoulders.

"I'm glad to 'ear it...did either of 'em ask anythin' about...well...us?"

Us.

"Naturally Mrs Banks inquired and I kept true to our story and said that we were in fact married...she fondly reminisced about when you flooded their house with chimney sweeps!"

Bert smiled with childlike embarrassment and rubbed the back of his head.

"As for Mr Banks, well, he didn't get much of a chance to speak, but I'm sure he will be told soon enough"