I do not own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I only own Sparrow McMillian.

Story Start

Thankfully nothing was found on the security cameras so I was able to keep my job. My boss told me that I would still be Mr. Wonka's inspector but of course I wouldn't even meet with Willy whenever inspected the factory. I still had another few weeks before the next inspection.

I left work with a sigh of relief. I was happy that I was able to keep my job but I was still on edge about the next inspection. It still hurt that Willy would accuse me of that. I know I had not known him long but I still felt like we were starting to build some kind of connection whether it be just friends or more.

"Now I'll never know," I muttered as I walked down the street.

"Ms. McMillian," I heard a young boy shout.

I stopped and turned around to look at where the shout had come from, and I saw Charlie Bucket running towards me. He had a big smile on his face and nicer clothes on. I gave him a small smile and waited for him to make it to where I was standing. "Hello Charlie, how are you?" I asked and saw the boy never lose the smile.

"I've been great. How have you been?" he questioned as we walked over to a bench to sit down and talk.

"I've been ok. I heard about what happened at the end of the tour. I can't believe he tried to make you choose like that," I told the little boy, who looked down for a moment.

"Yeah, but it's alright. Everything has actually gotten much better for my family. Oh you should come over for dinner tonight. Grandpa Joe and I have told everyone about you, and my mother would love to meet you," he told me as his mood lifted again.

"Oh are you sure?" I asked and he just nodded. "Alright, sure, that sounds lovely," I said and laughed when he grabbed my hand and started leading the way towards his home. It technically was almost dinner time.

We walked for a few minutes before finally ending up at a little home in its own little area. It wasn't wall to wall with other homes like most homes in this city. Charlie knocked on the door before opening it and announcing our presence. I smiled when we walked into a comfortable little home with a warm fire in the fireplace. Two sets of grandparents and Charlie's parents were either sitting around a dining room table or walking around the kitchen.

"Oh Ms. McMillian, it's so good to see you again," Joe said as he walked over to greet me.

"It's good to see you too. Thank you for inviting me to dinner," I said and looked at the others in the room.

"Oh you're the woman who was on the tour at the factory. Charlie and Grandpa Joe have told us so much about you," Mrs. Bucket said happily as she came over and grabbed my hands. "Charlie has told us how you tried to help the kids from making their mistakes," she continued as she pulled me to a chair that Mr. Bucket just set by the table for me.

"Well I tried to warn the children but unfortunately they wouldn't listen. I just hope that they are doing ok now," I said and smiled as the grandparents were introduced to me. "Thank you again for inviting me to dinner," I said to all of them and they smiled at me.

"Have you been back to the factory since the tour?" Charlie asked and I felt my hands clench tightly on my pants.

"No, I won't be back there for another week or so," I said and I could tell everyone was staring at me.

"Oh but I thought you and Mr. Wonka were friends," the little boy continued.

"So did I," I muttered and thankfully Mrs. Bucket changed the subject.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly. I heard all about how Mr. Bucket got a better job at his old company, and how the Grandparents were getting healthier now that they had better food. I could only smile as I watched the family interact. It was almost like I was invited to see something special. It had been a long time since I had spent any time with my family, but my family was never like this.

"Thank you for inviting me. Dinner was delicious," I told Charlie's parents when I was about to leave the house.

"Oh you're welcome and please do visit us again," Charlie's dad said politely before he was distracted by his son.

Mrs. Bucket stayed by the door with me. I jumped when she grabbed my hand. "I know something happened with Mr. Wonka. I can tell that you like him. I don't know what he did but please don't stress yourself out over it. If he can't realize that he made a mistake then that is his own fault," she said and wished me good night before surprising me with a hug.

"Thanks, good night," I said and walked away from the home. I was shocked with how caring that whole family had been towards me, but it was nice. A smile stayed on my face as I walked home until I actually arrived at my house. A basket full of chocolate was sitting on my doorstep and a small note was sticking out from between two chocolate bars. Looking around I didn't see anyone waiting but I did see some footprints still in the snow.

I grabbed the basket and took it inside. It was slightly driving me nuts to quickly open the note and see what Willy had to say because there was no one else who would send this. However, I made myself take off my coat and get comfortable before I walked back to the basket and opened the note.

"Sparrow, I'm sorry. I know you didn't touch any of the recipes, but I just didn't know how to react to the feelings I have for you. I've never felt like this before and it's weird. A good weird, not a bad weird, but it scared me. I shouldn't have said any of those horrible things and I'm so sorry. I miss you. I miss our evenings with hot chocolate and marshmallows. I don't know if you want to see me again or even read this note, but I want to see you. I want to figure out what these feelings are, but only if you have these feelings to," I read the note aloud.

I set down the note and looked over at the chocolate bars in the basket. "Willy," I said and put my head in my hands. "He's such a little kid sometimes," I thought before quickly throwing back on my day clothes, shoes, and coat. I locked my home and ran towards the factory.