And for once, Grandma Georgina knew exactly what she was talking about. The next morning, Charlie and I helped our parents fix the hole in the roof. Grandpa Joe spent the whole day out of bed. He didn't feel tired at all. Dad got a better job at the toothpaste factory. . . repairing the machine that had replaced him. Things had never been better for the us. We had food on the table and a bit of money to spare. It was the best of times and the worst of times for me. I would cry myself to sleep every night and have nightmares constantly. My drawing of the Wonka factory was torn up and thrown away. Charlie offered to destroy his toothpaste replica but I wouldn't let him. From the newspaper articles I could tell that Willy wasn't faring too well either.
One day Charlie and I were working at the shoe shining stand and we were taking care of a gentleman that was hidden behind a newspaper. I knew it was Willy since no other man in their right mind would wear shoes like his and the elevator was parked right across the street.
"Pity about that chocolate fellow, Wendell, er, Walter."
"Willy Wonka." Charlie said shooting me a smirk.
"That's the one. Says here in the paper his new candies aren't selling very well. But I suppose he's just a rotten egg who deserves it."
"Yep." I said smiling
"Oh, really? You ever met him?" Willy asked.
"I did. I thought he was great at first, but then he didn't turn out so nice." I said softly
"He also has a funny haircut." Charlie said happily.
"I do not!" I lost my breath at seeing his face again
"Why are you here?" I asked
"I don't feel so hot. What makes you feel better when you feel terrible?"
"My family."
"Eww."
"What do you have against our family?" I asked angrily.
"It's not just your family. It's the whole idea of. . . You know, they're always telling you what to do, what not to do, and it's not conducive to a creative atmosphere."
"Usually they're just trying to protect you because they love you. If you don't believe me, you should ask." I said softly reaching out to touch his hand.
"Ask who? My father? No way. At least, not by myself."
"You want us to go with you?" Charlie asked.
" Hey. Hey, what a good idea. Yeah! And you know what? I got transp. . ." Willy said as he ran into the door again.
"Oh Willy" I said laughing
"I have to be more careful where I park this thing." We all got in and I stood next to Willy.
"Mikayla, I haven't felt right since I well since I hurt you. I know what I said was hurtful and I keep replaying how I could have saved you the pain. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean half of what I said. Especially the part about a chocolatier having to be free and solo. I need you to stay with me. I need you in my life." He said and I could see tears in his eyes. I hugged him and cried softly I felt water hit my head and looked up to see Willy crying as well.
"Guys is that it" Charlie asked and we turned to see a house in the middle of nowhere.
We set the elevator down and got out. I could tell Willy was nervous so I slid my hand into his.
"I think we've got the wrong house." Willy said and I raised an eyebrow when we saw the sign.
Charlie rang the bell and within a minute a man had opened the door.
"Do you have an appointment?" He asked
"No. But he's overdue." Charlie said the man let us in and made Willy is it in the chair. I stayed near them as Charlie wandered over to a wall filled with newspaper clippings. All of them were about Willy I saw when Charlie motioned me over.
"Heavens. I haven't seen bicuspids like these since. . . Since. . . Willy?" We turned to see Willy sitting up and his father standing there awe struck.
"Hi, Dad."
"All these years. . . and you haven't flossed."
"Not once." I cried when the two of them hugged. I hoped that this would help Willy heal. We left the home with Willy promising to come back and visit.
When we were back in the elevator Willy repeated his offer to us. We both agreed as long as the rest of our family could come. Willy was all for it and I jumped into his arms happily. We kissed and went home to tell the rest of the family the good news.
"Oh Willy can you not land inside the house please. We just fixed it not to long ago and I really don't want to fix another hole."
"Of course darling I'll land in the front yard" Willy said then gave me a peck. True to his word he landed in the front yard.
"Mum, dad!" I yelled running inside, scaring the living daylights out of them.
"I have amazing news. Come inside guys"
"Mikayla what is this all about. Oh Mr. Wonka what are you doing here?" Mum said.
"I'm well I'm here to offer the chocolate factory to all of you not just to Charlie. Also sir may I speak with you. My father nodded and both men walked out of the house for privacy.
"How did you manage to convince Mr. Wonka to include us." Grandpa Joe asked and I smiled.
"Let's just say that we made him realise that family wasn't that bad and that all you need is love."
"Thank you sir. I promise you will not regret it." I heard Willy say as he entered the house.
"So have you all thought about my offer?"
"Yes we agree" I said stepping forward. A smile lit up Willy's face and he rushed over to me lifting me up and spinning me around. When he put me down he kissed me making my family whistle and cheer. I smiled and laughed when we pulled apart.
"So I have an idea about the house because I'm sure that you would like to stay in it. We can move it into the chocolate room and you can continue living there. How does that sound?"
"That sound very enjoyable Mr. Wonka" mum said
"Oh no it's Willy my dear. We had better get a move on since we want to do this in the cover of darkness."
"How do you intend to do this Willy." I was hoping he would say with cranes but I was wrong.
"With my teleporter of course I will just have the Oompa-Loompas drive it over here."
"When you say teleporter you don't mean the Television Chocolate thing do you?" Charlie asked skeptically.
"Of course not dear boy that would accomplish absolutely nothing. So shall we get a move on then? We simply must hurry everybody ready to go good now how should we do this. I know I will take the mobile family members first then return for the bedridden ones."
"Hey Willy, we're not all going to fit in there how about you take Mum, Dad, and Grandpa Joe then come back and help Charlie and I with the rest" I suggested.
"Very good idea darling I will be right back then."
Once Willy had left with my parents and grandfather I turned to the rest. I figured the easiest way to get them to the elevator would be to use the old wheelchairs.
"Charlie be a dear and go get the wheelchairs in the corner then help me get them up and into them." I said
He did as instructed and soon all of my grandparents were out of bed and on the way out side. I heard the tell-tale signs of the great glass elevator coming down out front so Charlie and I began to push the elders out. First went Grandma Josephine, then Grandma Georgina, and finally Grandpa George. We got them all in plus Charlie but found out there wasn't enough room for all of us. I stayed behind and waited for Willy to come with the teleporter. I didn't have to wait long for soon I hear a low rumble coming down the street. I looked up and saw Willy alone in the elevator landing and then I saw a great vehicle coming straight for the house. It had a long laser like thing on it and was manned by an Oompa-Loompa with many more walking around it. I truly hoped that none of the neighbors saw this thing or the little men.
"There it is no doubt my greatest invention ever." I jumped as I heard Willy's voice next to me.
"Are you sure it's safe to use. I mean have you ever tested it"
"Well yeah of course how do you think I got the Oompa-Loompas here."
"Oh thank god can we go I really don't want to watch this and I'm sure my family is waiting."
We got into the elevator and lifted off. I was very curious about what Willy had talked to my father about before we had left.
"Hey Willy what did you need to talk to dad about before we left?" I asked looking up at him in the dim light."
"I wanted to see if he were opposed to the idea of us beingtogetherlikeasacouple" he rushed out slurring the words together.
"What?" I said trying to work out what he could have said."
"Us, being together. You know dating going out on dates."
"Oh and what did he say?"
"That if I hurt you in anyway he would see to it that I regret ever doing it."
"Sounds like dad, he does have a little bit of Grandpa George in him that's for sure."
We were now sliding back into the elevator chute as soon as we came to a stop Willy pressed the button for the Candy Room. We came to a stop and got out just in time to see my house appear on a hill overlooking the river. My whole family was standing there with their mouths open looking at it. I walked over to them and rested my arms on Charlie's shoulders.
"Impressive Mr. Wonka." Grandpa George said and I started to cough. He never gave out compliments to anybody.
This looked like a good start to the family's future as well as mine.