"The man is dead. With his death, the waters of the sea are open to us. But there will be other deaths, and the agony of dying, before we come to land again."
Prompt(This is a requested imagine): A few years later, Y/N managed to build up a comfortable life for her parents and her son, Charlie. But everything is about to change due to an unexpected (And sort of unwelcomed) surprise.
Warnings/Tags: A bit of Angst
A/N: DunDunDUUUUN! Y/N finds herself in a situation here. What could it be? Read more to find out! I am sorry that this took time. I hope the wait was worthwhile for you! <3 Also, sorry for any mistakes, I didn’t proof read this much once I was done since I already did it before...like, a hundred times! So if you notice anything odd please do let me know and I’ll fix it :)
Prologue, Part 2 (Coming Soon!)
(I DO NOT OWN THIS GIF)
Y/N stirred away on the cabbage soup, humming a sweet tune under her breath, all the while Grandma Josephina and Grandpa Joe are engrossed on whatever the man in the television was saying, and little Charlie was applying glue to the bottom of a toothpaste cap.
That is, until the peaceful atmosphere was broken by the excitement of Grandpa Joe.
"The fourth ticket has been found, look!" his enthusiastic voiced attracted everyone's attention as he took the remote and increased the volume of the TV. The image of a boy strenuously pressing away on the buttons of a gaming console appeared in fuzzy visuals.
Instantly, a feeling of dislike washed over the now not so young woman, mainly because of the boy's know-it-all tone explaining how he used an algorithm to find the prize, and that he hates chocolate.
"What a repulsive boy," Grandma Josephina added first to which Grandpa Joe nodded. It made Y/N chuckle remembering the past few days of craze around the world. Ever since the announcement of the golden tickets, the world was in chaos, like the apocalypse has arrived and resources became scarce.
But it was the series of insults that her parents came up with for each lucky winner that made it enjoyable, otherwise, how could she be glad for the man behind the idea?
"Oh well, that's that. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Y/N announced and turned the stove off. The smell of cabbages and water filled the air immediately when the pot was transferred onto the table.
It was nauseating as usual, a contrast to what was felt the first few days they had it, but it was the only way she could provide for her little family of four.
Because life became even harder after what happened eleven years ago. She had no home, no money, no food. The only lucky thing was that her father, who was also a victim of Wonka's decision, had managed to find a home for her and her mother. But that was not what made things difficult.
She still remembers the day she felt sick to her stomach. With the little money she made on her new job at the toothpaste factory, she went to the doctor and found out she was with child. It wasn't difficult to figure out who the father was.
And thus, she had to look after her parents and now 11 year old Charlie, who speaking of whom, was still much concentrated on what he was doing, unlike his grandparents who awaited to calm their empty stomachs.
He stuck the cap onto the many others stacked together, which formed into a perfect mini model of the factory not too far away from your home. It was marvelous and never failed to impress you, just like it did back when the real one was first made.
"You know Charlie, I think I got something you might like." smiling gleefully, you dug into the pocket of your dress and pulled out a few more toothpaste caps, before dropping them on the table. "I managed to get more this time."
Charlie's smile widened as he picked a cap that was disfigured. His shining eyes admired it and exclaimed "This is just the piece I needed!" before plugging it onto a piece that looked awfully like a body, creating a tiny little stick man with a top hat. He proudly smiled at his work.
"What is it Charlie?" Grandpa Joe wondered, curiously looking at the piece through his big round glasses. He almost looked comical in a way, but it fitted him greatly, personality wise mostly.
"A head for Willy Wonka. Doesn't it look amazing?"
"Indeed it does Charlie." Granma Josephina nodded with a delighted smile curling her chubby cheeks.
"It's quite a likeness." Grandpa Joe said in an agreeing manner.
Of course, Y/N had no influence on Charlie's passion and love for the famous brand, mostly since he didn't know who his mother nor grandfather were before their life in a tiny crooked home. He doesn’t even know who is father is. It was purely natural and Y/N wondered if it's even possible for such a passion to be, well, biologically passed down.
Nonetheless, as much as she was proud of her son, she still hoped it will always remain just a dream, that he will never even have to go near that place. The more he doesn't the know the better life will be.
Charlie began looking through the collection of toothpaste caps again, his fingers moving them around the table.
"What are you looking for, dear?" Y/N asked.
"The last piece I need, a head for Mrs. Wonka." he answered, "She's the hardest one to make, we don't know much about her."
Y/N's whole body petrified, coaxing her to drop her spoon on the table, the loud "clack" bringing everyone's attention onto her. But she doesn't seem to care, Charlie's last sentence ringed through her like its the first words she ever heard in her life, slowing turning her blood cold.
She shared a quick tense glance with her parents before questioning, "How do you know that Mrs. Wonka exists?"
"From an old newspaper I found under your bed. I couldn't really make out her face because it's old, but it mentioned her as Mrs. Wonka, Willy Wonka's wife." the boy answered, all the while seeming bewildered himself. “I never knew he was married.”
The young woman's grip tightened on the handle of the pot, which would probably break if she tightened it even more. But thanks to Charlie's innocently anxious face, she placed it on the table like nothing ever happened.
"That's very interesting, Charlie." she smiled. And fortunately for her. Grandpa Joe, who exhaled with relief, had an idea on what to do to ease the tension, even though it wasn't the one his daughter would prefer.
"Wouldn't it be something Charlie, to open a bar of candy and find a golden ticket inside?" he declared like an excited child. Y/N simply rolled her eyes and went back to her task at hand, excepting there is no way this conversation can be turned to something else.
"I know, but I only get one bar a year, for my birthday. And it isn't here for another two months."
Grandpa Joe looked at Y/N, as if trying to call for a little assistance. She understood immediately and smoothly placed Charlie's soup in front of him before stating "You know, maybe I could try and get you a candy bar soon."
The little boy's small smile reflected gratefulness and joy as he looked between his grandparents and mother. "Thank you, mum."
Y/N smiled lovingly. No matter how much she doesn’t fancy the idea of risking her secret being found, it was his dream. He wanted to find the great mysteries lying in the factory that has gone incognito years ago, and deep down, so did Y/N.
After dinner was done, Y/N cleaned the plates and Charlie wished his family a goodnight before heading upstairs to his room. It wasn't long until the boy fell asleep to the soft night glow casting on him on the small hole on his roof, which showcased his favorite factory clearly like a painting.
It was no mystery to Y/N that he loved to gaze at it and let his imagination run, something that was undeniable inherited by both parents, yet it reminded her of Willy more.
While she was more of the chemist and science kind of fantasizer, Willy had a distinct way of seen things. She still remembers his sketches of a land made of entirely of candy with lollipop trees and chocolate rivers. He always wanted to make it real, especially because he knew the chocolate river and waterfall will make the chocolate more light and frothy, making the Wonka bars more silky and creamy.
While it sounds impossible, Y/N knew better than to judge the genius himself.
Before she knows it, dusk has commenced. She didn't even need to turn the lights on to know that everyone is dreaming happily. Quietly, she put her coat on and took out her small purse of savings she kept hidden in the drawer next to the door.
She ever so slowly turned the knob around, which still created a small creak yet not such a boisterous one that could wake anyone up. The ground was covered in snow when she stepped outside and in the same manner as before, closed the door.
There was one store that she knew was open 24/7, a beneficial fact for her as she walked through the almost empty yet slightly dark curb. The store could easily be found on the distance, as its window glowed with yellow light. She could see a few people roaming about in it.
With the ding of a bell which announced her arrival, Y/N entered the store. There was one wall stacked with books while the other had various magazines and newspapers on white shelves, which a strange tall man with a black trench coat and top hat was skimming through.
Onto her left was a counter with a store clerk in blue uniform, but the most important sight were the Wonka candy bars on display. She approached the counter and returned a smile towards the clerk.
"One Wonka Whipple Scrumptious Fudgemellow Delight please." she pulled out a ten dollar bill from her purse and handed it to him. The clerk pulled out a chocolate bar with a brown wrapper and handed it to her.
For midnight, this store was pretty crowded, or maybe because the space was quite small, either way, she was dumbfounded when she felt something like a hand against her pocket. She looked behind and saw no one except one single man, the one with the top hat, leaving the store abruptly.
Brushing it off as a mistake, Y/N made her way back home, except this time she heard a light sound. When she went inside she saw a small figure sitting in the dinning area and staring at the mini factory.
"Charlie," she questioned, "Is that you?"
"Sorry, we just couldn't fall asleep. Also, we were worried about you."
"We?" the young woman questioned as she turned the switch next to her, which instantly turned the lights on that reveled grandma Josephina and Grandpa Joe wide awake.
"Where did you head to?" Charlie questioned.
Realizing that the evidence of her departure was there to see on her hand, she chuckled nervously before showing them the Wonka bar. "I went to get a chocolate bar for you, Charlie."
The child beamed with joy when his mother handed him his gift. All of a sudden, suspense thickened the air around them to the point they held there breath when Charlie began slowly unwrapping the bar.
"Open it, quick!" Grandpa Joe exclaimed patiently.
For once Y/N began to curse in her mind at the numerous wrappers used to conceal the chocolate bar, or maybe its because Charlie himself was doing it slowly with shaky hands.
Finally, when everything was taken care of, Charlie's fingers grabbed the foil before vigorously taking it out, revealing a regular candy bar with the name Wonka branded onto each section.
Charlie turned the bar upside down and back yet no golden ticket was found.
"Oh well, that's that." Grandma Josephina attempted to ease the tension, but it's clear nothing could extract the disappointed swimming in the boy's eyes. Y/N felt her heart crack in her chest.
"I'm sorry Charlie," she rubbed his shoulders. The boy simply smiled and shook his head.
"It's okay. I'll share it." he began breaking the bar into equal pieces and handing it to his family. Y/N's broken heart mended yet melted warmly at her son's gesture, which she swears made her the proudest mother in the world.
She haven't had a Wonka bar since, well, what happened over a decade ago. But after placing the brown piece of sweetness into her mouth, she was transported into a world of bliss, pleasure, and nostalgia.
"You're such a kind boy Charlie," Grandma Josephina smiled lovingly, "Someday, you will get something far more greater."
"Alright, it's almost one O'clock in the morning, we should get some rest." Y/N tucked her parents in bed while Charlie got off of it and headed towards the dining table.
Part of Y/N was relieved that he won't be able to go to the chocolate factory. The risk of knowing his and his family’s true identities was something she could not afford to happen. Her life was fine as it is, she does not need more conflict and confusion.
But deep down, her heart felt sadness and pity knowing this was his dream and passion. The boy always wanted to see what lies beneath the tall grey walls and uncover its mysteries, some even herself wants to find answers to as well.
Moreover, she was still hurt about what Willy did to her. But even then she is brought up with fond memories of them, making her heart feel light and happy for a while.
"Mum?" he called. Y/N hummed in reply and saw the boy eyeing her pocket, to which she looked down and found something silver and shiny. She pulled it out and loe and behold...
"A Wonka bar?" Y/N gazed at it with astonishment, "How did this get here?"
Charlie took it from his mother’s hand. His stunned and bewildered expression made him look at his mother and grandparents for confirmation, to which they nodded madly.
However, this time, Charlie didn't waste any time in tearing it open. No one needed to question what happened, for the smile slowly forming on his lips said otherwise.
"I found it!" he yelled excitedly, "The last golden ticket! It's mine!"
It took time for his words to register in her mind. Like a puzzle been slowly put together, and as the last piece fitted perfectly in her mind, her whole world disappeared.
Grandma Josephina laughed with happiness and hugged a beaming Charlie, Grandpa Joe did his silly little happy dance, but Y/N sat there, like a statue with no emotions.
If Charlie won the ticket, that means....
“Mum?” he questioned, earning her attention. She looked at him, looking like she is about to pass out, which luckily she didn’t. But she did take a seat at the edge of her parent’s bed in a shaky manner. “Are you not happy mum?” Charlie asked worriedly, taking a seat next to her. Y/N huffed and smiled, before shaking her head.
“I am, honey.” she said “I am just a little...shocked. I was not expecting this to happen.”
Charlie’s soft smile is enough to make anyone’s heart melt. It did for Y/N, as it always does. Her son was someone capable of bringing joy just with a single smile. Just like Willy.
The little boy softly laid his head on her shoulder, wanting to bring comfort. And she did feel a little bit of the weight lifting off her shoulder. But the fear was still there, feeding her mind with all the reasons she does not agree to this.
“Someone read the back of the ticket!” Grandpa Joe exclaimed impatiently, Charlie who had been holding the ticket, turned it around and found to read.
“Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this golden ticket, from Mr. Willy Wonka!...”
She listened to every word Charlie read, and Y/N hated that she read it in Wonka’s voice. That high pitched childish tone, filled with rotting excitement. She couldn't decide why, was it because of the hatred and resentment she had for him, or was it because of the deep love she still had for her old job and the man she started it with?
She couldn’t decide, but the fact that she still missed him did not set right with her. It’s been eleven years, why does she still feel that way? Why should she feel love for a man that kicked her out of his life? That abandoned her and left her to raise a child and her elderly parents while barely earning any money and living in an almost broken house?
She was about to witness a long held secret be revealed to her son, something she fought to hide in the shadows for years. If she ever allowed it to happen...where would it leave them? Where would it leave her?
-
Little Charlie has gone off to bed, excited for the day to come. His dream is finally coming true! It was unbelievable. All along, he never thought something so grand could happen to him, a poor boy from a poor family.
But he shall never take this chance for granted. There are many children who dreamed of this. He shall use this chance to explore and find out everything he ever wanted to know about his favorite candies. And who knows, maybe see Willy Wonka for the first and ask him all kinds of questions. Like, how did he ever manage to make such a humongously successful business? What inspired him, or who was the mystery woman he called his wife?
However, as the boy was about to welcome sleep, he heard voice down stares.
“I don’t understand how you seem so excited about this, pop,” it was his mother, almost whispering with a weak and exhausted voice.
“I know how you feel, Y/N,” his grandfather spoke back with his kind and shaky voice, sounding very worried as well. “I know how this will impact everything you built for the past decade, but, it is his dream after all.”
“I know that, but it will risk him knowing everything. And if he knows what will happen to him, how are we to know how he’ll treat Charlie? Like he did back then? Cold and stern, pushing him away?”
“I am certain there is a way that the boy can enjoy this trip without knowing anything. I am sure we can figure something like that out.” it was grandma Josephina this time.
“Okay then,” Y/N sighed, “If that is so, we didn’t decide who’s going to go with Charlie. Maybe that is our way in to this plan.”
“Who should go with Charlie?” Grandma Josephine questioned.
“Pops, I think you should go,”
“What?” Grandpa Joe said in a disagreeing tone, “Y/N, this is your chance to go to the factory with Charlie. I think you should go.”
“No! If I go, who is going to take care of the both of you?”
“Don’t worry about that dear,” Grandma Josephina said, “I might be bedridden, but if Grandpa Joe here can do his silly happy dance, I think we’ll be fine. Besides, it’s only for a day.”
“You know best how to handle this situation, but also give the boy the best trip he could ever have!” Grandpa Joe said.
He heard his mother sigh, as if she just gave up on an argument. “Okay, it’s decided then. I’ll try my best.”
“Don’t make it all about hiding the secret though, let the boy explore and learn.” Grandpa Joe said, followed by a yawn.
“I think it is time to go to sleep. Goodnight mum and pops.”
Charlie heard his grandparents mumble a quick goodnight, before the lights downstairs were switched off, and everything went dark and quiet.
Charlie’s mind was filled questions, what were they talking about? Do they have any relations to the factory? What is this secret, and why are they trying to keep it away from him?
Charlie turned to the other side, where the big hold in the roof showcased the marvelous factory, standing far away against the dark blue night sky, covered in snow, and smoke rising up to the skies. This place truly is filled with secret and mysteries.
And tomorrow, he’ll do everything he can to find them all out.
-
Next up, part 2! This one was a sort of establishment for some drama. I know @beeblisss was hoping for some angst and drama especially, and although this part doesn’t have a lot of it, I promise you’ll see more in the next part! ;)
Taglist: @sweet-hot-latte @wild-rose-35 @marionette-ghoulette @testingforcake23 @takemepedropascal @beeblisss @thirsty4theeextrodinary @kittenlittle24 @celestialentitiesss @nyx2021, also gonna include @parchedment ,I know you didn’t asked to be tagged but I thought you’d be interested in reading this :)
If I forgot to tag you or if you want to be tagged in the next part, then please do let me know!
Congratulations to Patrick Melrose team on winning Best Production Design, Best Writer Drama, Best Mini Series and Best Leading Actor at the 2019 BAFTA TV & Crafts Awards!
Do you have a favorite Tim Burton movie? (My personal favorite is Big Fish. I reccomend it if you haven't seen it.)
Omg im such a big fan of his!!! Big Fish is a good one! I love corpse bride!! Im in love with claymation films. And also the voice actors, the characters, the plot. Also just dark and creepy but amazing music. Just incredible
