Successor
Requests by @auranightangle
Here is a link to the request but it is full of spoilers so I suggest reading the fic first.
Wordcount: 7.8K+
Masterlist
Description: Willy is excited to finally meet the ticket finders and his future successor, but as the past collides with the present maybe he will find something even more important.
A/N: Ah it is finally here. And it only took over two months. I don't know why this fic was so hard to write. I suppose the request was so thought out I didn't know how to make it my own, but after quitting writing and coming back I am pleased with it. I definitely want to do a part two, maybe some past smut with Wonka and the reader who is the past lover.
Warning: Angst. Frantic and manic Wonka. DadWonka. Slight fluff. Mention of abuse. Fic is in the third person from Wonka's POV mostly. Lots of flashbacks.
“Big Day, Big Day, Big Day,” Willy repeated over and over as he got dressed with the help of the Oompa-Loompas. “Massive day indeed. I need to be at my absolute best. Need to make a good first impression of my future successor,” he continued to rant to himself.
He was nervous. How could he not be nervous he was letting people into his factory; It was like letting people into his head into his heart. It’s been over a decade, and he wanted to keep it that way, but he wouldn’t be young forever. As much as he wished he could do this forever, he learned a long time ago that nothing lasts forever.
“Okay, Mr. Wonka, I have a wonderful idea for you.” His love said walking into his workspace.
His attention was immediately given to her “What is it my taffy twist?” He asked. Always happy to hear one of her ideas.
She giggled at his chosen nickname. It always seemed to change, but the theme was always the same, a candy of some sort. But she never minded. “So. I was thinking of everlasting gobstoppers. Think about it, never getting any smaller. Changing flavors, the longer you have it. And while it might not be the best selling, it will be nice for children from poorer homes. A piece of candy to have almost forever. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Willy stood from his chair, humming lowly as he tapped his chin in thought. She stared at him with wide hopeful eyes, rocking on her heels waiting for his thoughts. This was something they always did when one had an idea about a new candy.
He hid his smirk at her eager attitude and began walking in circles around her. When she started humming sadly, he grabbed her hands and gave them two quick squeezes.
“My chocolate delight that is the best idea I have ever heard.” He replied, smiling widely.
A similar smile broke out on her face, then she threw herself into his arms. Willy caught her around the waist and spun her around the room. “Oh Willy, you had me so worried. I thought my little heart was going to burst out of my chest.”
Willy giggled kissing her sweetly. “Nonsense, my candy cane, your heart is always safe with me around,” he said, causing her heart to flutter in her chest and warmth to pool in her cheeks.
She leaned forward and pressed another loving kiss to his lips. “Your sweet words have gotten you out of this one, Mr. Wonka.”
“Like my candy, I am always overflowing with sweetness and especially for you, my lovebug,” he said, stroking her cheek lovingly.
“Ah, that is not a candy. What gives, Willy, losing your touch?” she teased.
“Never, just distracted,” he whispered, kissing her.
“Good morning starshine. The Earth says hello,” Willy grinned at all the children and their parents standing in front of his factory.
He scanned the faces of them all, trying to see if maybe they were here to steal his recipes. Each parent looked ranged from bored to excited to alarmed, all things he could handle.
He then moved his eyes to the children. He had to keep a look off his face when he saw some of them, the ones that he knew would not be fit for his factory, too spoiled brats that would run his company into the ground.
One little girl about 12 years old is alone and Willy narrows his eyes slightly. “You there, little girl? Where are your parents?”
She was startled when she gained his attention, but she didn’t let that lack of a guardian scare her. “Ah, the guardian seemed optional, as it mentions it is to keep us in order, but I can assure you disorder is something I heavily frown upon, thus bringing a guest seemed like more of a burden for you, Mr. Wonka.”
She framed it as if she were doing him a favor but, in truth, she was alone because, well, she was just alone. She had no guardian to stay with her. Her aunt only took care of her for the money, the father was gone, and her dear mother would be here if she could be.
“No taste for disorder, you say,” Wonka said, moving closer to her.
“No taste at all. The only taste I have is for chocolate and knowledge from a great chocolatier,” she replied.
“Knowledge to steal?” He asked.
“Knowledge to learn from. I like making sweets myself, it’s a hobby of mine I used to do so with my mother,” she corrected, not going into too many details.
Willy regarded her for a few moments. Something about her seemed familiar, something reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t quite pull the memory of who. With a shrug, he tightened his hold on his cane before addressing the whole group.
“Well, it is 10:03. We are behind schedule, so let’s not have any more delays if you all follow me,” and without waiting, he started walking only to pause glancing at the girl. “You child stay close to me, I’ll look out for you,” and then he started walking away.
She quickly jogged to be next to him with everyone else trailing behind them.
“My name is Lollie, by the way,” she said once she was next to him.
“I don’t see why I should know that” he commented not sparing her another glance.
After the introductions in the front room and dropped their coats and they were off to see the first room. Lollie glanced back at all the other children and wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Awful children, she could just tell from looking at them and she saw most of their television interviews. They were here for selfish reasons, but thing again, so was Lollie. She wanted to learn and tour the factory because making chocolate and making candy made her feel closer to her mother.
“I’m Charlie,” one of the boys said approaching her.
“I know we just introduced ourselves, but I’m Lollie,” she laughed.
“Right right. I just wanted to introduce myself to you. Everyone seems to be…” He trailed off.
“Horrid?” she suggested.
Charlie laughed but nodded in agreement. “That wasn’t the world I was thinking but it works. I worked over to one and she just held up her hand and said, ‘Poor next’.”
Lollie gasped. “Awful. I think horrid was too nice a word for her,” she said. Lollie came from money, but that had nothing to do with who she was as a person. She was born into a family with money, but she still knew kindness and manners. To not speak to someone because of their financial situation was mental in her opinion.
“Everyone listens up,” Willy said calling everyone to attention. He stood in front of a door, buzzing with excitement. “Our first room is my favorite room in the factory,” he said pausing to open the door and let everyone in.
“This is the chocolate room and everything in this room is edible. Even I am edible, but that is called cannibalism and frowned upon, children.”
Lollie snorted at his comment. And Willy looked her way smiling, then he turned back to the group. “Now I will give you some time to explore and try out some things,” he said before walking away.”
She quickly chased after him having some questions. “Mr. Wonka, I have some questions, do you mind answering them.”
“I don’t mind, but the question type will depend on the answers.” He said, grabbing an apple, but when he bit into it, it was chocolate and marshmallow.
She gasped as if he had performed a magic trick and clapped. “Wow, you are brilliant.”
He chuckled. “The Brilliance is in the mind of the imaginative, the young, the dreamers.”
“Then I am even more brilliant than you are, Mr. Wonka,” she concluded.
He laughed again nodding. “I believe that is so. Should I be asking you questions then?”
“Of course, maybe I can you an idea or two,” she grinned.
“Ladies and Gentlemen and everyone in between. My name is Willy Wonka and I have something important to say. Not to just say but give. Have you ever had a craving for a piece of candy only to realize it doesn’t exist? Well, I have that candy, the non-existent, now exists. Who would like to be the first one to try it out?”
“Oh, I would very much like to try it out. The candy we have all dreamed of is now a reality.” A voice said from the back of the small crowd. The crowd parted and a woman stepped forward. Willy's mouth ran dry when he saw her. She was the most breathtaking person he had ever laid eyes on. Up until now he wanted nothing in this world but to make chocolate, but now he wanted to know her.
“Y-yes-” his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am come this way. And taste the taste of dreams.”
She was skeptical but also highly intrigued and eager. She grinned widely and stood in front of him. He smiled back warmly and held out his hand and she quickly placed hers in his. Willy placed the candy in her hand in a moment that felt far more intimate than it should have.
“Now, close your eyes and taste,” he whispered to her.
She looked from the candy in her hand to him. After getting an encouraging nod, she closed her eyes, turned to face the crowd, and put the candy in her mouth. The crowd and Willy held their breaths as they waited to see what would happen.
“Oh,” she said, quietly before a full-blown grin took over her face. She opened her eyes, “It’s brilliant. The best candy I have ever had. Something from a dream,” she said in awe.
Willy smiled and she looked at him in wonder. He wished to say something else to her. Something that would make her laugh or like him. His palms felt sweaty in a way they never had before, but quickly people were in front of him begging to try this candy, shouting over, and pushing toward him.
He tried to look over their heads to see her, but she was slowly moving to the back of the crowd, she caught his eyes and smiled widely at him. Willy's heart quickened and he tore his eyes away starting to take orders and give samples, but the woman never left his mind.
“Mr. Wonka,” Lollie said, worriedly when it seemed he had slipped away.
Willy blinked a few times pulling himself from the memory of his youth and smiled at her as if nothing happened. “Sorry about that. Lost in thought, dear Lollie.”
“It’s okay. My mother used to do that a lot. I suppose it is another trait of brilliancy,” she said grabbing a leaf off a tree and popping it in her mouth. “Wow. I’ve eaten your sweets my whole life, but I can never get over the first taste.”
“Ah, that is all by design. A dear friend of mine once gave me the idea to add a bit of a secret ingredient to all my treats. At the very end, I personally, by hand, add it to each of my treats before it is sent off to packaging.”
“Really?” she asked. “What is it?”
“The keyword is secret there. I think you missed it,” he grinned smugly, tapping her nose slightly.
“Can you answer a question for me then, Mr. Wonka, don’t worry your chocolate secrets will be safe?”
Nodding once Willy stared at her expectedly. “Now when it comes to your roasting process for your cocoa beans, how long do you roast them and how do you do it?”
Willy raised an eyebrow at her question. He was not expecting a question about the process of making chocolate. No one is ever interested in the beginning process. “How old are you?” He asked.
“12,” she replied.
“Well, the roasting depends on how you want the chocolate to be, the ending form is important and should be known from the moment you start cleaning the beans. It is not one size fits all.”
As he spoke Lollie nodded pulling out a notepad and taking notes of everything he said. She asked a lot more questions throughout the day about the perfect temperature for her namesakes and the best place to order ingredients from.
Willy was more than expressed by her and enjoyed having someone to talk to about his processes and the best things about making chocolate. He missed the joy of sharing his ideas and processes with someone who cared and found them enjoyable.
As the other children slowly gave in to their vices Lollie stuck close to Charlie and Willy. “You know, Violet wasn’t turning violet. I thought she was more indigo, no?” she whispered to Charlie who covered his mouth to hold in his laughter.
“ Maybe a cross between Indigo and Violet,” Willy added as he passed by the two of them.
“Perhaps, but I don’t think I’ll ever have blueberry pie without thinking of her.” She giggled quite happy the rude girl was given her just desserts.
Lollie hoped all the other rotten children met the same end, except for Charlie. He quickly became her best friend. It was strange as they met today, but she didn’t have many friends, in fact, she had none. Yet, while coming from different worlds, they both understood each other and shared a love of adventure and, of course, chocolate.
“Charlie, what do you think the end prize will be?” Lollie asked as they all moved into the nut-sorting room.
“I don’t know. I hope it is something that will take care of my family, but I would happily lose to you,” he said, whispering back.
She smiled and grabbed his arm giving it a little squeeze. “Nonsense, if I were to win, I would just forfeit to ensure you do. Meeting you and touring the factory is enough for me.”
Charlie flushed at her words and quickly caught up to everyone else to stand next to his grandfather. Confused, she shrugged and stood next to Wonka, eyes widening when she took in the squirrels.
“What a brilliant way to get the nuts. Did you know that Squirrels almost always get the nuts out perfectly? Well, of course, you would know that it’s why you use them,” she said, excitedly.
“Well, aren’t you full of knowledge? I was just explaining that same thing to the group, Gold Star,” he said, patting her on the head.
When Veruca started to demand one of Wonka’s squirrels Lollie rolled her eyes and watched as she climbed under the rope. She wouldn’t say she was someone that enjoyed other people’s misery but watching the Squirrels attack her was one of the highlights of the day.
“A rotten nut all around,” she said to Willy, both of them trying to hide their laughter.
“Ah, but the tree that waters the nut has something to do with that,” Willy added, watching as Veruca’s father walked away. “Maybe a trip will do them both some good.” He was just as relieved that Veruca was gone as Lollie was. He liked children, for the most part, but the ones here were the worst of the bunch besides Lollie and poor boy.
Crowding into the elevator Lollie and Charlie both gasped as they passed through rooms, she wished they could explore more. Mike on the other hand was being grumpy and trying to ruin the whole mood.
She could tell from all the comments that Wonka made that he also did not enjoy the boy and she hoped he would fall prey to his own flaws like the rest of them.
“This room seems stupid. The whole idea of candy is stupid,” Mike groaned.
“It isn’t stupid. Candy is the only magic in the world, so of course the room would be about magic and the unimaginable because that is what candy is,” She finally snapped back to him.
Willy quickly turned to her at her words. “Candy is a dream made real,” he mumbled before getting lost in another memory.
“You are just wow. So amazing. Candy is a dream, a dream made real. I’ve always thought that. Having a piece of a sweet treat can feel like the best day. It can make your day, but your candy, Mr. Wonka is next level.” The women gushed to Willy as they walked arm and arm down the waterside.
He was forever grateful that the beautiful woman stuck around after all his samples and orders were placed. While he was happy that it looked like his dream was finally taking off, he couldn’t get her out of his head.
And then she was there. Sitting on the curb waiting for him. She expressed her admiration for him and her shared love of chocolate and sweets. It was an instant connection between the two of them and he was glad that she felt it too.
“What about you? You said you are working on candy creations as well. You could put me out of business before I even start,” he chuckled, patting her arm.
She flushed ducking her head. “Oh, that is exceedingly kind of you to say, but mine are going to stay dreams. My father does not believe candy making is a good enough job for his daughter. Though, I suppose no job will be,” she frowned sadly, and he needed to cheer her up.
Thinking quickly, he grabbed both of her arms and dragged her towards the water. “You know, I get my best ideas after a quick dip,” he said.
“In that water? It has to be freezing,” she said, laughing.
“That’s why I keep my clothes on, it’s just a refreshing dip,” he grinned taking off his shoes and socks and walking closer to the water.
“You are mad, Mr. Wonka,” she laughed but followed suit taking off her shoes.
“Aren’t all of the best people, gumdrop?” He winked at her and took her hand. She grinned giving him a tight squeeze back. “One the count of three, One, two, three,” he shouted before they ran into the water.
It was beyond freezing but they both laughed unabashedly, dunking themselves underwater and then huddling closer together for warmth. “Well, no one can ever say you are dull, Willy,” she giggled pushing some of his wet hair out of his face and behind his ear.
Willy burned bright red despite the freezing water. “No no. I suppose I am not known to be dull,” he said, shyly.
She chuckled, “Then we are going to have lots of fun together.”
“Mr. Wonka, are you okay?” Mike’s father asked pulling his son closer.
Willy blinked a few times before looking at everyone. “Never better, now off to the next room.”
“You seemed to be having a lot of… moments, does that happen a lot?” He asked.
“Not too often, but it’s increased significantly today,” Wonka said, looking at Lollie for a moment before ushering everyone out of the elevator.
Soon, like Lollie hoped, Mike’s hubris got the best of him and then it was only her and Charlie. She was only understanding what was happening. Wonka had to be testing them and the last kid standing would get this prize.
She looked at Charlie. He excitedly walked back to the elevator with his grandfather. He told her this was the best day of his life and from the little bit he did share about his life, it’s been a hard one.
“Mr. Wonka,” she said making up her mind.
“Yes, Lollie,” Willy said giving her his attention.
She didn’t want to seem overconfident, but she felt like she was going to be the last one standing, or at least if things came down to Willy just picking them, she thought he would choose her, she was the only one whose name he bothered to remember and use.
“I don’t want your prize,” she said, crossing her arms trying to be bratty and annoying like the other children.
Willy frowned at her. “Are you sure? You haven’t even heard it yet. And I think you will love it.”
“I am sure. I had my fun. I learned some things, but I am disappointed actually. Slugworth’s factory was better.”
Willy’s eyes widened but narrowed. “The winner gets my factory. They will become my successor.”
Her eyes widened and she had to quickly school her features. She wanted nothing more than to get to work with one of the most brilliant minds and do what she loved but, with a glance at Charlie, she knew he needed it more.
“That’s swell and all, but Charlie is your winner, not me,” Lollie said.
“Then, I’ll have someone show you out, Miss Lollie,” he said, taking off his hat and bowing before an Oompa-Loompa took her hand and walked her outside.
Willy frowned as he watched her leave. Charlie would be a good successor. He had the love and the passion, but she had the same sparkle that he only saw once before.
“Willy,” she giggled pushing his face away from her neck. “We are supposed to be working,” she added.
“I am working. We are working,” he said, adding little kisses to her neck.
“Really, then what do you call this?” She countered.
“A reward sweeter than sugar?” He questioned. Causing her to laugh and pull him closer kissing him.
“I am so immensely proud of you. Willy Wonka the proud owner of his own factory. I told you that you would have your own. That your dreams were like sugar, just waiting to be spun into a reality.”
Willy smiled widely at her. He loved her. There was no doubt in his mind. From the moment he saw her all those years ago in the crowd, from the walk in the park that turned into daily walks. To the late-night idea-sharing and dinners. She was his person.
His father was a different man after his mother died and now, he understood why, when you met your soulmate, it was all-consuming he couldn’t imagine life without her. Together they worked hard to follow their dreams and now he had a factory, and he would ask her to marry him.
“It is all thanks to you, my sugar plum. I couldn’t do any of this without your help. This is just as much your factory as it is mine.” Willy cupped her cheek and kissed her softly.
She melted against his lips, kissing him back with just as much love. “My father would have a heart attack if you said that to him,” she chuckled.
“Your father needs to see you for who you are,” he said, pulling her onto his lap and pushing a strain of fallen hair behind her ear. “The genius, innovative person you are, my lovely Pixie Stix,” he said, kissing her cheek.
She smiled sadly. “I don’t need him or anyone else to see me, you see me and that is all that matters.”
“The world should see it. Your talents, your passion it’s unrivaled.”
“Now you are just being too sweet, Willy. I have nothing on you. You are my muse without you, my partner in candy, and in life, I am nothing,” she giggled, kissing his nose.
“You have a sparkle like no one else, my sweet tart, and I have something I want to say to you, actually something I want to ask,” he said nervously.
She frowned, “Are you all right, my love?”
“Never better. In fact, I could be a bit better in a few seconds if yo-“ The door opened and the two of them instantly separated when her father walked in.
“You are coming home with me right this instant,” he said grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.
She protested and tried to pull away. “Hey let her go,” Willy said.
“And you, stay away from my daughter if you know what’s good for you. This factory can go away with just one visit to the bank. You leave my daughter.”
She was sobbing now and so was Willy. “Please, I love her. I can make a good husband. I can take care of her, don’t take her away,” he begged.
“You and your factory are not good enough for my daughter.”
“Father please, I love him,” she begged, her voice catching only making Willy more heartbroken. The ring burning in his coat pocket.
“Enough. You are forbidden to see him.” And then her father dragged her way. She looked back at Willy, her eyes full of sorrow and pain.
“Mr. Wonka. What are you doing here?” Lollie asked.
Willy smiled at the girl. “Well, after you so rudely insulted my factory, I thought I owed it to you for a better tour.” He replied.
She looked out into her yard. “How did you get here? You don’t have a car?”
“Ah, well you missed the best part when you left. My glass elevator also flies,” he grinned.
“Really?” She said running down the steps of her house. “Where is it? Where is it? I must see this,” she said excitedly.
Willy chuckled as she ran smack into his elevator. Something he’s done too many times since creating it. “I should put a sign or something to stop that from happening,” he said as he walked over to her and checked her over. “It seems nothing is broken. Hopefully, you didn’t knock some innovative ideas out,” he teased.
“Oh, you would like that, that way you won’t have to compete with me one day in business,” she grinned getting into the elevator.
“There is nothing wrong with good competition as long as you don’t plan to steal my recipes.”
“Never.”
“Good, then I welcome the day,” he said getting into the elevator and pressing the fly button.
Lollie pressed her face close to the glass as they rose higher. “You truly are a genius, Mr. Wonka.”
“A true genius, Willy. I will never get over your amazing brain,” she gushed as they ate dinner in his small flat. It wasn’t much and he used to be insecure about it, but she never said anything horrible. She just enjoyed being around him.
Willy blushed at her words. “You are too sweet, my peppermint patty. It was a joint effort from us both. You were the one that made batch after batch, tasting, and perfecting the recipe with me.”
His newest candy had changed the game for him. His tiny shop was about to grow into the factory he always dreamed of. His candy would be shipped all over the world and his dream will be a reality.
It was her turn to flush. “I am just happy to help you, my love,” she said.
He smiled softly, kissing her hand. “You are more than happy. You inspire and create with me. My truest partner.”
The word partner had them both flushing and turning to their food. It’s been a few years since they first met and they have been a couple for over a year, but still very shy about subjects of marriage and forever.
They both wanted it, but there was a barrier stopping them. Her father would never allow it. And Willy wanted to have enough money to be able to take care of them and their future children. He didn’t want her to give up her life to struggle with him.
Coughing unsubtly Willy stood up. “I have a gift for you, my sugar plum.”
“A gift? Willy, you don’t have to buy my gifts. Spending time with you is more than enough.”
“Oh, pish posh. I just received a long sum from the newest candy, which you helped make, so of course, I got you something. Now I’ll be right back,” he said, already walking away. “Oh. And close your eyes.”
“Of course, Mr. Wonka,” she teased closing her eyes. She could admit to herself she was slightly excited to see what he got for her. She tapped her fingers on her thighs in anticipation.
Willy couldn’t help but grin goofily when he saw her impatiently waiting for him. She was just too darling, and he loved her with his whole being. He silently moved closer, leaning down until he was in front of her face.
“Willy are you th-“ she was cut off as he kissed her swiftly and sweetly.
She gasped and he giggled kissing her deeper. Her hands came up to thread through his hair and he grabbed the back of her chair. He kissed her with everything he had in him, wanting to convey just how deeply he loved her.
Her lips moved against his, echoing his words with her lips. They kissed until their lungs begged for air and even then, they waited a few more seconds before gently pulling away.
She slowly opened her eyes blinking up at him. “If that was my present, I take back what I said earlier,” she said softly. Then, as if realizing what she let slip, she flushed.
Giggling wildly Willy leaned down and kissed her once more before shaking his head. “Sorry sugar cane, but that is not the gift, but I hope you still like it,” he said holding up a necklace. “It’s a sugar pop. You said you loved sugar pops best.”
She giggled as she looked at the necklace. A golden chain with a little charm of the candy hanging. “I said I love yours best,” she said happily at him.
“Well, I made this charm with the same love I made in the sugar pops, so it should be the same,” he said.
“I am sure it is,” she grinned.
“Does that mean you like it?” He asked nervously.
“Oh, Willy. I, of course, love it. Anything by you I love, but this is wonderful. You said you made it?” She asked as she let him put it on her.
“Yes, I read a few books on how to make charms and had a bit of trial and error. The chain is of course from the jewelers, but it is a Wonka original for my favorite person. It’s always modeled after my favorite flavor.”
“Why yours?” She asked turning to face him once the charm rested around her neck.
“Well, that is because this necklace has a brother in the form of a bracelet that has your favorite flavor.” Willy held up his wrist where the bracelet sat.
“Oh. This gift is even more wonderful,” she said, standing up and hugging him. “I love it. And I love you,” she said.
“I love you too. Now we will always have a small part of each other when we are apart.” He said, kissing her.
“Mr. Wonka, are you okay?” Lollie asked.
Willy blinked away the memory. He shook his head a few times, trying to will away the painful memories. He hated that they kept coming up. He had fought them away for years, but it seemed the dam had broken them free.
“Mr. Wonka?” Lollie questioned again.
“Oh yes. I am fine. All the best geniuses get a little lost in thought sometimes be warned,” he said, trying to make a joke. And luckily, she laughed. He looked back toward her home. It was large, showing wealth, and he wondered why she was not as horrible as the other wealthy children who came to the factory.
“Where are your parents? Lollie? Should I have asked them first?” He wondered. He wasn’t good with parents, adults, or children. Or people really, but he was sure that he was technically kidnapping her.
“Oh, I don’t have any. Not really,” she said, sadly, taking a seat on the floor of the elevator.
“Oh. Well, that is just awful,” he said, a bit unsure what to do before he joined her. “I lost my mother when I was young, it was especially hard to grow without her. I also had a father that didn’t understand me.”
Lollie felt tears in her eyes and quickly looked towards the sky. “My mother was my best friend. The sweetest woman to ever live. And before you say that everyone says that about their mother. It is true for mine. She loved me and loved the world. She saw it differently from everyone else and it made her so kind, and sweet. I never saw how she married my father.”
Willy frowned in understanding and placed a hand on her shoulder. “When did your mother die?”
“She isn’t dead. At least now yet. My father was not a good man. He didn’t enjoy her unique view of the world and thought to rid her of it in the only way a brutish man knew how. She is currently in hospital.”
Willy's eyes closed as her meaning hit him. No one deserved that. How could anyone marry someone, claim to love them, and then hurt them? And enough to put them in hospital and for their young child. His heart went out to the young girl.
“You have had to grow up faster than anyone needs to, sweet Lollie. I am terribly sorry you have to deal with that. If you want to run away, my factory is home to you.” He couldn’t just let her go back after learning that. He subtly tried to scan her for marks, hoping with her mother gone, she was not her father’s next target.
Lollie smiled softly at his words. “That is a wonderful offer, but my father is gone. My mother’s father made sure I would never have to see him again. He had him sent away to prison. And then my grandfather died, so I was left in the care of my father’s sister. An awful woman, but at least she knows that all the money belongs to me and is smart enough to leave me be.”
“A terrible hand you have been dealt, but it will get better. I assure you there is a rainbow of Sherbet after a cloud of rain,” Willy said.
Lollie sniffled clutching her mother’s necklace in her fist. “But be warned that a Sherbet overloud causes a freeze to the creative juices,” She finished.
Willy froze. He blinked repeatedly, his chest tightened, and he felt as if he couldn’t breathe.
When she was gone, Willy had no idea how long he just stood in silence staring at the door. He didn’t know anything; his heart was gone. He felt hollow like he had nothing left in the world. His knee buckled and he was on the floor. Willy was gasping, his throat tightened, and he grabbed his chest.
His ears were ringing, and his face was growing wet. If he didn’t know any better, he would think he was having an allergic reaction to something. Maybe he was. Maybe heartbreak was his allergy.
The ring burned a hole in his pocket, and he cried harder. Quickly, he pulled the ring out of his pocket and stared at the chocolate diamond ring. He knew the ring was the most expensive ring or the most flashes, but he knew she would love it. And now she would never see it.
Willy kissed the ring with shaking hands. And then wiped his tears. He needed to get ahold of himself. He couldn’t just give up on her, she was the love of his life. She was his life, he had to fight for him.
Getting to his feet, he tripped, crashing back onto the floor. He groaned, lying his head on the ground. How was he going to save her though? Her father would never allow them to marry, and he knew how much she loved her family, even if they didn’t offer her the same.
He couldn’t make her pick between the two. It would only make her miserable in the end and that was the last thing he wanted. Defeated, Willy stayed on the floor for hours. Until someone knocked on his door asking if it was okay for the employees to go home.
In his heartbreak, he forgot all about his happiness with his factory, his craft, and his dream. Because while it was still his dream, she was a part of it. Not trying to wipe his face, he got up and opened the door.
“There is a rainbow of Sherbet soon. There is a rainbow of Sherbet soon,” he repeated to himself before walking out of his office. “You have all done wonderful today. Truly I am grateful to each one of you. I think you all earned the rest of the night off. I will see you all tomorrow,” he said.
He watched as they all began shutting down machines and chatting as they gathered their things and left. Willy walked around after everyone was gone, turning off lights and locking up.
Once outside his factory, he stood back and looked up at it. It was his dream, but it felt hollow now. “A rainbow of Sherbet. A rainbow of Sherbet.”
“But be warned that a Sherbet overloud causes a freeze to the creative juices,” a voice said sadly from behind him.
Gasping he turned to see his love and he quickly pulled her into his arms hugging her to him. He cuffed the back of her head and sobbed into the top of her head. “My chocolate delights. I-I. I shouldn’t have let him take you. Oh, I was going to come, but I didn’t want to, your family and love and you and.” He was sobbing too hard to make any sense.
But he didn’t need to, she understood him and sobbed along with him. She wrapped herself around him, sobbing into his chest. They held each other, hoping it would be enough. That their love would be enough for them.
“My father has betrayed me. He has given my hand to someone. Some rich earl’s son,” she sobbed. “He told me if I ran away, he would make sure your factory was shut down. That he would make sure you would never be able to sell anything in the country,” she sobbed, shivering against him.
The snow just hit him. In his sadness, he didn’t feel the cold, at least not the cold from the snow. He quickly ushered them back into the factory and into the living area. He sat her in front of the fireplace and made her the creamiest hot cocoa he could. Something that always made her smile.
But not this time. She took the mug but didn’t smile, just looked sadly into the cup. “He told me to come break your heart. To tell you goodbye and of his threat,” she said, watching as her tears dripped into her drink.
“My sweet,” he whimpered, kneeling in front of her and wiping her cheeks. “His threats mean nothing we can leave if you wish it. To hell with this factory. We can leave, move to America, and start a life there. I am sure I can get enough money selling my recipes and factory to someone here.”
She gasped looking up at him. “No Willy. You cannot. Your recipes are your life’s work. They are your life.”
“No, you are my life.”
“Stop it, Willy. This factory has been your dream your whole life. It is what you’ve been working towards for as long as I’ve known you. I won’t let you give it up for me no. Never. I cannot be selfish.”
“Be selfish and let me do this for you, for us. I do not want the factory if I don’t have the person who helped me build it with me.”
She sobbed harder. “You will grow to hate me if you give up your dream for me. Don’t make me have to see that.”
He wanted to argue. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, but her fear was the same one he had. He feared her picking him would make her grow resentful of him. The ring still sat in his pocket, and he pulled it out, pressing it into her hand.
She opened her hand and stared down at the ring. A lump grew in her throat and her upset stomach flipped a few dozen times. “Willy….”
“I wished to propose to you earlier. I’ve been thinking about it for years, but I wanted to wait until I was worthy of you-“
“You have always been worthy of me, Willy.”
“-I know, but I have not felt so, but now I know it is not our time to share Sherbert,” he chuckled through his tear-filled eyes and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “But it was brought for you, and you must have it. It is a piece of my heart, and I will never love you as I have loved you. So, you take it.”
She shook her head. “Willy please.”
Neither knew what she was begging for, but he just hugged her to him. They clung to each other as they knew it was going to be the last time. The snow falls hard outside, something grew despite the snow. Something neither of them knew about just yet but was there between them.
The life grew as did the sound of heartbreak between the two of them.
“We will always have our memories,” she whispered, her head resting on his chest.
“And our sugar pops,” he said, touching her necklace.
She smiled sadly, placing her hand over his on her necklace. “Our lollies.”
“Where did you hear that? H-how did you know that?” He asked.
Lollie stared at him confused. “It’s what my mother used to say.”
Willy's eyes moved to the necklace she was clutching in her hands. The necklace that he gave his sweet. The necklace that he gifted her all those years ago. His heart squeezed and without noticing he was crying.
Lollie didn’t notice his tears as she was now staring at the little lollypop charmed and the little chocolate ring that sat next to it. “My mother had a lot of strange sayings like that. This necklace was hers. She wore it every day. I used to play with it when I was a baby and as I grew, I asked her about it. She said she would tell me one day. Tell me about the second greatest love of her life. I always thought that was funny. I assumed it was a gift from my father as a child and didn’t get why she said that. Well, I suppose it is a gift from my father but not the one sitting in prison.”
Willy was going to faint. He was going to faint. “What?” He croaked.
“My mother told me that my father gave her this necklace. When I was eight, she told me that the man she loved most in the world gave it to her and that man was my father. It was not until after her accident, before my grandfather died, I learned the truth. He was talking about what to do with me. He knew he was sick, and he mentioned finding someone to take care of me. His assistant mentioned contacting my father, but my grandfather shut that down. I was confused at first, but it started to make sense. The rotten man in prison wasn’t my father.”
Willy stumbled to his feet and pressed a few buttons on the elevator. He needed to get to the ground. He needed air and he didn’t think it would do either of them good if he just jumped to his death. He couldn’t abandon his daughter.
His daughter.
His daughter.
Their daughter.
He choked on a sob and quickly landed the elevator. He stumbled out and fell to his knees in the grass, only it wasn’t grass. It was snow and he cursed, mentally not out loud his daughter couldn’t hear such language.
“Mr. Wonka is everything okay? Is it a memory again?” She asked, leaning close to him.
“Lollie,” he said softly. “I- I…” He couldn’t get the words out.
“Mr. Wonka? What’s wrong?” Lollie asked now more worried. She moved to her knees in the snow to get a better look at him.
“Your mother… I- I knew her,” he said looking at her. Into her eyes that were so like his own he felt stupid for not seeing it sooner. Maybe it was because the color was his, but the shape and the sparkle, it was all his sweettart’s.
“You knew my mother?” She asked.
“I gave her the necklace.”
Lollie froze, staring at him. “You gave her the necklace? That means. That means... you- you-”
“I am him. That you know. The male mother. The the.
Lollie laughed. “My father.”
Willy sighed and dropped face-first into the snow before turning over on his back and staring up at the sky. “Yes.”
“Can I hug you?” She asked after a few moments of silence.
Willy’s eyes widened and he quickly sat up, brushing snow off his clothes. “Yes, of course, come here. My Lollie,” he said, hugging his daughter for the first time. “Oh, my Lollie, I can’t believe you are my daughter. Oh my. I kidnapped my own child and now have her in the snow. You will catch your death,” he said.
Lollie giggled, it was strange seeing this new side of Willy. He was strange, but that came with being as brilliant as he was, but this dad mode was funny.
“Laughing at me, I am worried about you. Into the elevator with you,” he said, pulling them both to their feet brushing the snow off of them, and pushing her towards the elevator.
“Can I call you Dad now?” She asked as they both got in.
Goodness, it hit him again. He was a father. He had an almost teenage daughter. “Of course. And you that aunt of yours is going to get a piece of my mind and we will get you situated with me. Living in the factory will be, okay?”
“It would be a dream,” she said, excitedly. “We can make candy together, right?”
Willy smiled widely at her. “Of course, we can. I used to make candy with your mother all the time.” And then his smile left his face.
His love was currently in hospital because someone put her there when he wasn’t around. He should have fought harder for her. He should have risked her hating him because this was worse.
“How about first we go visit mom?” Lollie suggested.
Willy nodded. “How long has she been… like that?”
“A year.”
“I am sorry, Lollie,” he said. And then he hugged his daughter for a second time and let her cry as the elevator took them to the hospital.
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