Chapter Twenty Six

Snow completely surrounded the house that morning and Cherie stayed bundled up in as many layers as possible, Doctor Wonka, however, was dressed ready for a days work. Cherie didn't know why, hardly anyone came to visit so one can imagine her shock when during lunch, all of a sudden there was a knock on the door. The Doctor walked to the door and opened it and upon hearing the voice that responded to his ever typical 'do you have an appointment?' question, she ran up the stairs and hid, not wanting to be found by her husband or his hopefully heir quite yet.

She still loved the silly man, there was no doubt in that, but she had a horrible feeling that he might not love her as strongly as she loved him and that was something she couldn't handle. Either way she would rather not know and believe he loved her with most of his heart, a small section saved for candy, than know that he loved candy with most of his heart and a small section saved for her.

Cherie watched Willy and Charlie enter the house from her hiding spot on the stairs. They walked into the kitchen and workroom with Charlie taking in everything that he could. How often does one walk into the house that Willy Wonka, candy extraordinaire, grew up in? That's when he noticed the table for lunch was set for two. Dr. Wonka caught sight of this and quickly dispatched of the dishes before guiding Willy into the chair and putting his tools beside him.

"Open," the doctor instructed and Willy opened his mouth as wide as he felt comfortable, "Now, let's see what the damage is, shall we?"

At this point Cherie could only hear what was going on and didn't dare move from her spot on the stairs for fear of being spotted.

"Heavens," said Dr. Wonka, "I haven't seen bicuspids like these since…Willy?"

"Hi, dad," he said. Mr. Wonka honestly didn't guess that this was his son, for he had an unusual haircut now and looked almost sickly pale. But now it explained his daughter-in-law's odd behaviour.

"All these years…and you haven't flossed?" said the good doctor. Cherie almost laughed at how typical he was and because she knew the answer.

"Not once," replied Willy. There was a long pause, but it wasn't awkward, until Charlie broke it.

"Mr. Wonka?" he said.

"Yes?" replied both of the Mr. Wonka's.

"Sorry, Dr. Wonka, I couldn't help but notice that you don't appear to be alone here," said Charlie motioning his head to the sink where the dishes were placed. The doctor signed and nodded his head. Willy looked back and forth between the other two males before the door opened and Cherie walked in. Willy stood up and rushed towards her but she put her hand up and stopped his impending hug.

"No, Willy, you might have re-united with your father, symbolizing that you are ready to accept family, but you messed things up pretty bad and there are a few things you need to fix," she said with a sad look on her face. She loved the man and because of that she knew he could be unpredictable and had no clue if he understood what she was trying to say.

Willy turned to Charlie and smiled at him, "Charlie Bucket, my dear boy, and winner, it would seem some of my past decisions were wrong and completely absurd. I would like to once more offer you the opportunity to be my heir and take over my chocolate factory. Of course this means you have to learn all the ins and outs of my beloved factory and includes your recidency of which I would supply the lodgings for you and your whole family."

"Really? You mean it?" asked Charlie putting a huge smile on his face. Willy looked at his father and then back at Charlie.

"Every word," he said.

"I accepted," beamed Charlie.

"Father, Christmas will be upon us soon and you will be present at my factory for a nice home cooked Christmas dinner, I won't take 'no' for an answer," said Willy, his normal cheery self coming out.

"Of course," said Dr. Wonka.

At last Willy turned to Cherie and she gave him a small smile. Willy gave her a small apologetic smile as well before getting down on one knee and taking her hand.

"Cherie, I know there were some things that melted between us, but I realized just how much I need you in my life while you were gone. I now fully understand and appreciate the saying 'you don't know what you have till it's gone', and I know that I had a friend, the best taste tester, and…my love. You might not forgive me first thing, but I would like for you to return home because I honestly don't think I can continue on without you, not for all the chocolate in the world," he said with a quick glance at Charlie for the line before staring deep into Cherie's eyes.

She beamed before pulling Willy up and giving him a big kiss.

"That's all I needed to hear, chocolate man," she said hugging him tight before kissing him once more.

In the end, Charlite Bucket won a chocolate factory, but Willy Wonka got something even better: A family.

The end.

A/n: First off, I am really sorry this took so long. I haven't updated this story since March?! Yeah well work kind of did that to me and then school, and I really didn't want to put some half-assed ending out there since I knew that this next chapter was the end.

I hope you all enjoyed this story and I really appreciate those that have stuck with this story so long.

-Charlotte