A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, here it is! Just as I promised, I am extremely proud to give you the first chapter of this brand new story! Please enjoy this first taste of my new fic, and please be so kind as to leave a review and tell me what you think about it. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I'm enjoying continuing this story.
Lots of love to you all-
-Kayla

Disclaimer: Any names you recognize belong to Roahl Dahl/Tim Burton. I only own the rights to my character, Charlene.
Lyrics by Christina Aguilera.
(P.s. I suggest you read it with the song playing in the background...that's how I wrote it!)

A/N 2: As you can tell, I've changed the title. I couldn't come up with a decent one so I ended up with this...it's a mix of Charlene's and Willy's names,in case you haven't guessed ;) I hope you like it, let me know if you do or even if you don't! I might change it one more time, though I think it'll just leave it like this. Cheers!!

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Chapter One – A Candyman's Dreams

Sweet
Sugar
Candyman

The band began to play harmoniously and the music filled the room, rising above the laughter and the chatter of the guests. The big ballroom was gorgeously decorated for the night: there were huge buffet tables set on the side, round tables covered in elegant white tablecloths, a stage and a dancefloor filled with guests, and a gigantic crystal chandelier glittering above the crowd. People were talking cheerfully, and everyone was dressed to their best. The town's créme de la créme had showed up, and little groups of people were forming around the room. Outside the building, a red carpet had been set up, with photographers and journalists crowding behind the securty lines to report what had been defined as 'the year's most anticipated even'. The access to the actual party had been strictly allowed only by invitation. At the present moment, three female singers up on the stage were performing the song dedicated to the man who had organized the event.

He's the sweet-talking
Sugar coated
Candyman
The sweet-talking
Sugar coated
Candyman

Willy Wonka made his way through the crowd in his black tuxedo, politely greeting the guests who saluted him while his mind concentrated on something else. His eyes darted around the room left and right in search of the one person he was missing and the one whom he truly longed to be with. At last,he managed to reach a glimpse of her standing by the champagne table. His face lit up with a bright smile, and he smoothly skidded across the dance floor, walking up behind her.

"There you are!"

He swirled her around, and was breathtaken for the upteenth time that night as he took in her beauty: she was wearing a long, siren-like emerald green gown that smugly fit her small frame, her long curly hair had been tied and tamed into a chic updo, and she was holding a glass of icecold champagne in her hand. Her hazel eyes lit up when she found herself being held in his arms. Grinning, he took advantage of her slight surprise and swooped down on her, laying a quick kiss on her soft lips.

We drank champagne
And we danced all night
We shook the paparazzi for a big surprise
The gossip tonight
Will be tomorrow's headlines

Charlene felt Willy reluctantly break the kiss and looked back into his eyes, as he entwined his hand in hers.
"Where've you been?" he asked her, speaking loudly because of the music, "I've been looking all over for you!"
She was about to answer, when another voice spoke up, interrupting them.

"? Lawrence Bell, for the evening news. Would you please allow us a quick interview?"

They both turned to the journalist behind them, who was followed by a cameraman and was politely waiting for an answer, microphone at the ready. Willy gave him a warm smile and nodded, "Sure!"
"Thank you," Lawrence replied, signalling the cameraman who turned the camera on promptly, "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, speaking directly into the camera, "This is Lawrence Bell, reporting live from the party of the year. I am here with the legendary Chocolatier Willy Wonka, an icon worldwide in the candy industry. , what are your feelings about this fabulous night?"
"Well, I'm very happy to be the host of thie event," answered Willy, "And it's been a truly wonderful evening so far."

"Up until a few months ago, you had locked yourself away in your factory, refusing to appear in public after you had to close it down due to technical difficulties. Now, you have opened your factory to public tours, and have more recently decided to host this evening in honour of your latest brand of luxury chocolates. What made you change your mind so suddenly?"
Willy couldn't repress a smile. He automatically turned to Charlene, gently squeezing her hand, and she returned his smile.
"Well," he said, "My life has changed in many ways, and for the better. The truth is Lawrence, I owe it all to her." And he cast his girl a loving look.

Lawrence grinned, only now noticing a rather large diamond ring gloriously sparkling on Charlene's finger, "So it's true then?"
"What is?" asked Willy, looking back at him, although he already knew what he was talking about.
"Rumour has it you and your lovely lady will soon be…"

"…Bound forever by eternal love?" Willy finished for him, and they all laughed lightly. "Yes Lawrence, it is indeed true," he looked back at Charlene, who stepped closer to him, and kept his gaze steadily upon hers for a moment, creating a dramatic pause before both of them exchanged another grin and he turned back to the journalist, pride filling his voice as he announced...

"We're getting married!"

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"And here's where I wake up suddenly all covered in sweat, with my heart stuck in my throat and my hands shaking."

Willy Wonka rose from the doctor's comfortable lounging chair, looking worriedly over to his therapist, an Oompa Loompa dressed in a dark suit who was sitting in a couch two times his size scribbling notes on a small pad of paper. The little man finished writing down the Chocolatier's dream and then took off his round glasses, placing a hand under his chin and reading what he had just written as though he were examining a particularly difficult recipe.

"Well? What does it mean? I mean, it's not like I don't know what it means, of course I know what it means…it means that I love Charlene but I don't know if I'm ready to spend the rest of my life with her yet so I worry because I'm afraid of losing her if I don't do something like this soon, and at the same time I'm afraid of being too hasty and I don't want to ruin everything, because that would just tear me apart and I could never forgive myself for being so stupid… but how can I possibly think about taking such a big step when I'm the first one who doesn't know how to handle this situation even though I think about it so much that I dream about it almost every single night, and I'm also the only one who can solve it? What am I supposed to do? I mean," Willy continued holding up his hand, blocking the Oompa Loompa before he could speak, "Of course I know what I'm supposed to do, I'm supposed to stop worrying and start trusting myself and know that if I feel like this it probably means that the time is right, and I should also trust the fact that I know Charlene would never leave me if ever she were to think we're not ready for this…" he paused for a moment, listening to his own words, "Hey, wait a minute. That's just it, isn't it? I am the only one who can solve this situation, because I'm the only one who knows about it…and Charlene wouldn't leave me for something like this…and the fact that I'm having this dream is good, because it only means I really care for her…and if I'm feeling this way, it probably means we are ready to take this step, but then again if I'm not sure yet, since I'm the only one who knows about this I can take as much time as I feel is necessary to decide, without risking losing or ruining anything at all!" he turned to his therapist, "You know, I've said it before, but I'm going to go ahead and say it again, because I really mean it: you are really good!"

The Oompa Loompa sighed heavily, resigning to his boss's attitude, and merely bowed his head at him. Willy hopped out of the chair and back onto his feet, feeling a renewed sense of self-esteem and determination coming over him. He adjusted his jacket and checked his golden pocket watch. Seeing the time, he gasped and set it back inside his pocket, hurrying to fetch his top hat and cane he had set besides the chair, sprinting off down the corridor and shouting his thanks to his friend once more.
Without a moment's hesitation, he jumped inside the Glass Eleveator and pressed one its many buttons, finally stopping to catch his breath and patiently standing still as he drifted in the air.

He just hoped he wouldn't be late.

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POP!

The cork flew in the air as the bubbles of chapagne trickled down the sides of the green bottle. Willy filled the two flutes he was holding in his hands with the golden liquid, passing one over to the person he had been dreaming and thinking about all day. Charlene took the glass from him, smiling as their eyes locked and he raised his own glass, preparing for a toast.

"To our fifth month-a-versary," he said, clinking his glass together with hers. Charlene echoed him, adding, "And to us."

Willy took a sip of his drink and then lowered his glass, leaning on his arm and gazing intently at the young woman before him. The grass beneath him felt soft and slightly humid, and he thanked the fact that there was large red-and-white chequered tablecloth set down underneath them. The hills around them were green and lush, and the only sound that could be heard was the whishing of the wind rustling through the trees and the distant splashing of a waterfall in the distance. Charlene silently sipped on her drink, gazing distractedly into space. Willy shifted closer to her, a sly grin on his lips, and stopped when his shoulder came in contact with hers.

Leaning in towards her, he gently whispered in her ear, "What's the matter?"
She broke out of her daze, looking up at him, "Hmm? Oh, nothing, Willy…it's nothing."
Willy saw she wasn't being completely honest, and frowned slightly, "Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me for being late?"
"No, no, I'm not…"
"You don't like the food?" he asked concerned, referring to the delicious dinner that was all laid out and ready for them.
"No, it's not that…"
"You don't like the room?"
Charlene bit her lip lightly, "No…not exactly…"
"Then what is it?" demanded Willy, puzzled.
"Well," Charlene finally answered, slightly hesitant, "It's just…oh, Willy, I…I really, really appreciate everything you've done, the dinner looks amazing and the room is wonderful, it's just that…that's sort of the whole point, I guess."

"What do you mean?" asked Willy, leaning back on his elbows and feeling even more confused. Charlene took a moment before answering him, then she let out a sigh, explaining, "Well, sometimes I…I just wish we could go somewhere else to celebrate. Somewhere that's not inside the Factory, I mean." She shrugged, "I don't know, I was just thinking about that...Oh, but please-" she hastily added, turning to face him, "Don't feel offended, I really don't mean to upset you, and I really, really love everything you've done for me, I just-"
"It's okay, Charlene," he said softly, looking down for a moment, "I understand what you mean." Seeing her look away in embarassment for what she'd just said, he lifted himself up on his hands and leaned back onto the tree set besides them.

He did not want her to think she'd hurt his feelings, and to proove it, he whispered to her, "Hey, Starshine," she turned her head towards him, and he said, "Come here," motioning for her to go besides him. She gladly did so, feeling relieved he hadn't taken her thought the wrong way. She slid into his arms, and he embraced her sweetly, leaning his head on top of hers, and lifting his gaze to the sky.

The reason why Willy truly hadn't felt offended by her comment was that he knew she was right. He knew perfectly well that she had every right to wish for another place to celebrate their special day, or any day at all for that matter. He knew it. However, this didn't keep him from still feeling reluctant in facing the outside world.

As long as it involved going to her house, he was fine with it, but the idea of going anywhere beyond that still tied his stomach in a knot. He knew it was all due to the many years he had segregated himself inside his own Factory, and he was infinitely grateful that Charlene seemed to know and understand that, which was probably why she had been so hesitant to tell him what she was thinking. He was glad she'd told him, though. Deep down, he knew this was a fear he would have to conquer sooner or alter, and he also knew that she could be the one person capable of helping him do that. For the time being, he could only hope she didn't mind being inside that much. Although he could understand her point of view, he had to admit he loved staying in that particular room.

Ever since it had become a special place for them, he had taken it on himself to develop and improove the Valentine's Day room. It was now signed as private to anyone else, and he had managed to install a mini chocolate waterfall on the far side of it, along with a mechanical rooftop that now stood open to offer them a clear view of the sapphire blur sky, where millions of stars glittered brightly. An autumn breeze swept past them, and he felt Charlene shiver slightly before snuggling closer to him. He adjusted his body to a more comfortable position, and the two of them stood like that in a peaceful silence for a while.

After a while, as he was lost in his thoughts, he felt Charlene shift her head up towards him, and quickly brought his mind back to the present moment, looking down at her. She had a loving look in her eyes, and said simply, "Happy month-a-versary,Willy," before rising up and kissing him tenderly."I love you."

His heart skipped a beat. Although they'd taken to saying "I love you" to each other quite recently, he still had that reaction whenever he heard her say it. He never would've expected to have somebody say it to him, least of all hear himself say it in return.

"I love you too, Starshine," he answered with a smile, "Happy month-a-versary."
She snuggled into his arms, her head leaning back on his shoulder, as he rested his head on the tree trunk.

It was moments like this that made Willy wonder just what he was waiting for to ask that one question that could make her his forever.