A/N Own Nothing Thanks to my beta and to Boom for being my second reviewer. Hope reading One Year Later clears some things up or that I explained things enough for you to understand anyway. Thanks once again to Peebles for being a loyal reviewer.

Chapter 10 – Walks and Memories

Willy smirked as they started heading out of the front lobby door, "Shorty, is Charlie really having a party tomorrow?"

She looked over to see his smirk change to a worried expression, "Yes, is that a problem?" Willy shrugged as they walked praying that Christy wouldn't be strong enough to be out for too long. "It's just three boys coming over to stay the night. They've been friends for about two years now and they want to hang out. You don't even have to meet them if you don't want to."

"Does he want me too?" he asked. Christy smiled at him, she loved that he really cared for Charlie just as much as he cared about her. Even though he could be stubborn, he would do almost anything either one of them asked.

"I think it would make him happy if you made an effort to drop in while they are here, but I don't think he would mind if you stayed away," she answered as she thought about it. They had just barely made it to the trail when she stopped for a moment.

"Did you forget something shorty?" Willy asked wondering why they stopped so soon.

Christy looked back towards the factory for a second trying to come up with a good reason to go back. She didn't really want to admit it, but her body was still sore, worn out and just plain weak. As much as she wanted to actually walk down the trail, she wasn't sure if she could go much farther and still make it back, "The twins are probably hungry."

Willy gave her an odd look, "It's not that big of a deal shorty, the oompa-loompas are taking care of them and can feed them. They can go one meal without you if need be." She nodded, but still didn't move any further. Willy smirked slightly, "Are you tired?"

"No," she answered immediately, "Alright yes."

"If you really want Starshine we can go as far as you are able and I can carry you back," Willy replied trying to hide a small grin. She smiled slightly and started walking again down the small trail. Willy looked around remembering how this trail was one of the small things that ended up changing his life. Christy was still his assistant the first time they walked down there and just wanted to spend some time outside of the factory. It was obvious she didn't want to go alone, but no one else was available. She went anyway until Willy stopped her and made the first step to get back into the outside world. It was also the same place where he started to realize that he had some feelings for the girl.

They walked as far at the small waterfall and stopped to reminisce about their last time here. "Oh my god, I was so embarrassed when I leaned against you and held your arm. You were so scared of my touch that I swear you jumped a mile away," Christy said laughing.

"I did not," Willy replied pouting slightly.

"Yes you did, I wasn't thinking and I actually touched you and then you pulled away," she teased.

Willy smirked, "Yeah and after I pulled away you got all quiet. When you first started working for me you were often quiet." Christy sent him a small glare and looked back towards the little waterfall. "Ready to go back?" he asked noticing that his Starshine was looking a little more worn out than usual. She wanted to keep going just to prove herself, but her muscles weren't listening to her anymore; she nodded and waited while Willy easily lifted her up.

It often shocked Christy how strong Willy was, "I still can't figure out when you have time to work out. You are in perfect shape, but I only ever see you sitting at your desk or in the inventing room."

"Ha, so that's all I do?" Willy asked giving her a look, "Well shorty, if you actually got yourself out of bed in the mornings then you would know I spend that time carrying around large bags of candy making ingredients that the oompa-loompas are too small for or building new machines."

Christy thought about that for a minute and shrugged, "I guess that explains it then." She rested her head against Willy's shoulder as he carried her once again thinking about all the things she wanted to know about him. Her mind drifted in and out while she tried to think of a ways to get him to tell her. Willy just watched her with a smile seeing her look so peaceful in his arms.

Once they were back at the factory, Christy started to fully wake up again. Willy tried to stay still so she would drift right back, but her attention was fully caught by the sound of a crying baby. It only took one quick glance up at Willy for him to know exactly where she wanted to go. The babies were apparently being watched by the Buckets and he thought to himself that he should have known better than to try and sneak past their rooms.

It was Laurana that was crying so no one in the room really looked concerned. The two Grandmothers were holding the babies; Georgina was the lucky one holding Laurana. With a large smile she handed the baby over to Christy and watched as she almost immediately calmed down. "Willy, can you take Alicia and we'll head up to the nursery?"

Willy looked panicked, but slowly reached his arms out for the other baby. He still wasn't comfortable with them, mostly because he didn't trust himself with them. As much as he knew he wasn't supposed to have favorites, he really did prefer to hold Alicia if he had to hold one at all. She seemed to be content no matter who had her or where she was. The other was a squirmer and voiced her displeasure with the world frequently.

While they were in the elevator, Willy took a long look at his two little girls; it was the first time he really did and he saw how alike the two were. He knew they might grow out of it, but right then the only way to tell them apart was by their eye color. A small smile appeared as he actually went into an almost flashback, but instead he saw an idea for the future. In his mind it was suddenly ten years later and he watched as two dark haired girls ran happily around the chocolate room being chased by a young man in his mid-twenties.

"Willy?" Christy spoke cautiously. It had occurred to her that at some point Willy would be taking care of their kids and go into a flashback, but she had hoped that it wouldn't ever happen while they were still this young. It scared her to think that he might forget he was holding one or get startled out of it and jump away hurting the baby.

"Yeah," he answered shaking his head slightly to come back to the present.

"Do I get to hear what that one was about?" she asked keeping an eye on him.

Willy laughed, "Don't worry shortcake, I was just thinking." She almost didn't want to believe him, but then again he didn't really have any reason to lie to her. She was almost positive that he would be happy to have any excuse to give the baby to anyone else.