'Twas the night before Christmas…
Actually, it was several nights before Christmas and Rosanna was starting to panic. She usually bought her Christmas presents weeks in advance to avoid the usual glut of shoppers in the final days before Christmas and the gifts she bought were usually inconsequential and of the 'box of chocolates' or 'smellies' variety. This year was different - she had a number of people she actually cared about and needed to buy gifts for and yet it was now the 20th and she still hadn't bought Willy's present. True, she'd managed to buy gifts for all the Bucket family and even Dr Wonka was going to be the happy recipient of an ugly tie and a bottle of the finest French cognac. However, Willy Wonka was proving harder to buy for than his reclusive father. Socks just didn't seem to fit the bill. Nor did any of the other more traditional gifts to give to your partner. Rosanna was tempted to give him some underwear, but wasn't quite sure whether Willy would react favourably to a pair of tacky boxers emblazoned with the words "Warning: Contains Nuts."
She sighed into her hot chocolate and stared gloomily out of the window at the darkening world outside. Even the sweet chocolate couldn't lift her worry - what would he think if she didn't get him something for Christmas? Yet every idea she had was less appropriate than the last. He was a multi-millionaire - every possible item he might want was already in the factory somewhere. Rosanna drained the mug of chocolate and frowned. Perhaps she would go for the silk boxer shorts. But she'd get a 'nice' pair and not the obscene ones she'd seen earlier in the shops. This left her with just one problem. She wasn't sure whether Willy did wear boxer shorts or briefs and it wasn't as if she could just ask him. That would be too obvious. And she didn't know his clothing size. She nodded to herself as she came to her decision - it would be at least another hour before Willy would be back from the Inventing Room and she'd long ago been granted access to his rooms. All she had to do was invade Willy's bedroom, have a quick peek through his underwear drawer to find his size and underwear preferences and she'd at least be halfway to a decent present for him. Willy had already told her the arrangements for Christmas - the Buckets, both Wonka men and Rosanna would be spending the day in the Chocolate Room. Rosanna didn't think Willy could cope with opening underwear in front of his father so she would also be purchasing a less risqué gift for him to open in front of the Bucket family. Dr Wonka had only raised an eyebrow at the news Rosanna would be teaching Willy how to swim in the New Year, but it had been enough for the chocolatier to reconsider the idea. That's it! Rosanna was hit with a flash of inspiration and scribbled a note to herself that she quickly tucked into her jeans pocket. Okay, that was the main present sorted, now for operation find out Willy's pants size…
Rosanna crept stealthily down the corridor. She couldn't hear any signs of life. Turning the doorknob slowly, she pressed through the doorway and closed the door behind her.
"Willy, are you here?" called Rosanna softly. She crept forward to the bathroom and pushed the door open - no-one was home. "Here goes," said Rosanna, trotting over to the chest of drawers and pulling open the top drawer. About a hundred pairs of identical purple socks greeted her. "Well, I found out his favourite colour at least." She shut the drawer and pulled open the next one. This was filled with red socks. She shut it and hesitantly opened the next one. "Black!" The final drawer held an assortment of different coloured socks, some covered in festive designs while others were boring and plain. "My lover has a sock fixation," muttered Rosanna, pushing the drawer closed. A click behind her made her jump and she turned slowly to see the door opening. Adrenaline suggested hiding and Rosanna ran over to the bed and slid underneath the skirting sheet just as footsteps entered the room. She could see a clear inch under the ruffled sheet and watched as a pair of black high-heeled boots circled the bed. She held her breath and heard Willy drop something onto the bed - it sounded like his coat. In the quiet void under the bed, Rosanna listened as Willy paced the room before crossing to his dressing table and muttering under his breath. She heard a thud and jumped, freezing instantly and hoping she hadn't been heard. Willy hadn't noticed however and Rosanna heard him give an irritated sigh.
"Why is this so difficult?" asked Willy to the room in general. "It's only three gosh darn lines! I'll never finish this poem by Christmas!" Footsteps approached the bed and the wooden slats creaked ominously as Willy threw himself onto the bed above Rosanna. "I'll finish it in the morning." From the creaking sound, Willy was making himself comfortable. With any luck he'd move soon and she'd be able to flee. They had a date in just over an hour and she knew he wouldn't forget. She hoped he wouldn't forget - the wooden floor was hard and uncomfortable.
At least ten minutes passed and Willy once again shifted position on the bed before sitting on the end and removing his boots, the heels crashing loudly right next to Rosanna's head. Willy stood (he was wearing black socks today, Rosanna discovered from her letterbox view on the room) and from the sounds of zips and rustling fabric, he was getting undressed. Rosanna gave a lecherous smile - maybe she'd be able to pull back the sheet just a little to sneak a peek. She decided against this and lay still, knowing that when Willy went for his shower she would have the perfect opportunity to escape. Willy was starting to hum to himself and Rosanna stifled a giggle. From the heap of clothes on the floor, now would be a particularly bad time to be discovered. The dust under the bed was seriously starting to irritate her however…
"Achoo!" sneezed Rosanna. She heard Willy draw in a quick breath.
"Who's there?" asked Willy in a terrified voice. Rosanna considered staying put, but knew instinctively that this was not an option. She shuffled out under the far side of the bed. "I warn you, I'm armed!" said Willy. Rosanna stood, brushed down her jeans and turned around, suppressing a laugh as she did so. There, clad only in bright blue, cotton boxer shorts and a top hat, holding his cane at arms length, was the "armed and dangerous" Willy Wonka. Willy lowered the candy cane. "Rosanna?"
"Hi Willy," said Rosanna, raising a hand to wave. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Why are you here?"
"Just checking something." Rosanna fixed her eyes on Willy's hat, not daring to look down. That was one question answered anyway. And if she kept the receipt it wouldn't matter if she bought the wrong size.
"Oh. Under my bed?"
"Mmm-hmmm. I was just going."
"Okay." Willy watched as Rosanna, taking a final, slow look at his torso, left the room, smiling to herself as she did so. Willy stood stock still for a moment, then looked down. He was… not fully clothed. He had… been seen in this state by Rosanna. He was now… very embarrassed. Willy let out a pained moan and ran into the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Willy knocked gently at Rosanna's bedroom door. She answered it quickly, as if she had been waiting by the door for his arrival. This was, in fact, the case. Willy took in Rosanna's appearance - she had changed into a light green top and a sweeping, emerald green skirt.
"Hi," whispered Willy. "Okay if I come in?"
"Yeah, of course. How long before we have to be at the restaurant?"
"Twenty minutes, plenty of time," answered Willy quietly, shutting the door behind him. "Why were you in my room and why were you hiding under the bed?"
"I needed to check something. Something for your Christmas present. And I didn't want to spoil the surprise so I hid when you came in."
"My Christmas present? You've bought me a Christmas present?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. But what was it you needed to check?"
"That would spoil the surprise!"
"Ow," scowled Willy, pouting slightly. "Okay. About you um, seeing me in the um…"
"Underpants."
"Yeah. Could you possibly forget what you saw?" mumbled Willy, fiddling with his gloves and biting his lip.
"Now why would I want to do a thing like that?" asked Rosanna jokingly, slipping her arms around Willy's waist.
"Well, it's not right, you seeing me like that. It's embarrassing."
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about." Rosanna stood on tiptoe and kissed Willy's lips gently. "You look great."
"But I wasn't dressed and it's just asking for trouble if you see me like that!"
"What kind of trouble?" purred Rosanna. Willy's mouth went dry as Rosanna circled her arms more tightly around his back.
"I…"
"Hush now," instructed Rosanna, pulling Willy's head down to hers for a kiss. Willy trembled slightly as the kiss ended, a look of utter confusion on his face.
"Rosanna, I don't know how or why you're doing this but please, please…"
"Stop and make sure we get to the restaurant on time?"
"Yeah," gasped Willy, following Rosanna gratefully as she swept out of the room. "For a moment there, I was quite worried we were going to be late."
The Christmas tree, decorated in several miles of tinsel and trimmings, perched precariously on its stand outside the Bucket house. It was the first time Charlie had decorated a tree larger than himself and he'd taken great delight in festooning the branches with so many baubles and lights that Grandpa Joe was sure that the poor tree creaked under the weight. Willy and Rosanna stopped briefly to admire it before bursting into the Bucket house late on Christmas Eve.
"Hi there!" said Willy with a broad smile.
"Hello everyone," chimed in Rosanna. The Bucket family acknowledged their entrance with a series of greetings and Mrs Bucket walked over with a tray of mice pies.
"Where's your father dear?" asked Mrs Bucket as Willy picked up two mince pies and proceeded to take a large bite out of the first one. Rosanna answered for him.
"He's upstairs - we only just got back and he's quite tired after the journey."
"He will be down tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, of course," mumbled Willy through a mouthful of pie. "We will all be here, bright and early. We're just here to find out what time you'd like us to come down."
"Eight should be early enough - since Charlie stopped believing in Santa we don't get up at the crack of dawn anymore."
"Okay," said Willy. "Can I take some more of these please?" he begged, pointing at the plate. Mrs Bucket nodded 'yes' and Willy stacked six more mince pies into his hand before smiling broadly and leaving the house with a curt nod.
"Sorry - he hadn't had any mince pies before yours and now he's fixating on them," explained Rosanna. "He wouldn't leave his father's house until he'd made sure the old man wasn't hiding any from him. I think the holiday's finally got to him," she finished with a sigh. As Mrs Bucket laughed, Rosanna gave a light smile and waved her goodbyes before running off after Willy.
"Willy - wait up!" shouted Rosanna, darting over the swudge towards the elevator. "You have to stop eating those - you are going to make yourself ill."
"I won't," mumbled Willy, "I promise." He swallowed the mouthful and took a breath. "You're quite sure that no-one has been near my Tomacco Room?"
"Yes," sighed Rosanna. "Willy, we need to get back to our rooms. I'm tired and I can't wait until morning!"
"Okay," said Willy, reaching up and pressing the call button for Rosanna's room. A few moments later, they arrived and Rosanna stepped out of the elevator.
"Well, goodnight," she said, waiting expectantly for her kiss.
"Sleep well darling," replied Willy, kissing her. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas honey," answered Rosanna, crossing her hands behind her back and smiling as Willy stepped back into the elevator, pressed the button for his room and disappeared from view. "And now, to work…" she said quietly.
In the gloom of the corridor outside Willy Wonka's room, a shadowy figure applied a few squirts of oil to the hinges of his door to prevent any sound. The door opened slowly and silently a few moments later. A black gloved hand put down a can of oil next to the doorway and a skinny, black-clad figure slipped through the gap and into the room pausing briefly to listen to the rhythmic sound of the chocolatier's breathing. Moving silently and in a crablike fashion, the figure crossed to the end of Willy's bed and tied something to the bedpost. The intruder walked quietly up to the head of the bed and leaned over to examine Willy's still sleeping form before planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Merry Christmas Willy," whispered the intruder, smiling as she saw Willy's left eye twitch. She stood and was about to leave when the apparently still-sleeping chocolatier reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Rosanna?" The figure froze and was helpless to resist when Willy pulled her over and into an embrace. Willy opened his eyes and smiled at Rosanna's moonlit form. "Come to check on something else?" he asked coquettishly, pulling Rosanna onto the bed next to him.
"I… Well I…"
"Hush now," growled Willy, kissing Rosanna and running his hands up her back. He laughed and broke the kiss in doing so. "What's with the ninja gear?"
"Didn't want to be seen." Rosanna was aware that her plan to sneak into Willy's room to deliver his Christmas present and then sneak out again had gone spectacularly wrong, though she wasn't sure she minded too much.
"Rosanna?"
"Yes?"
"Merry Christmas." Willy kissed Rosanna again, persisting until he felt her tremble under his touch. "Oh Willy!" gasped Rosanna, her heart racing as he released her. "That was most unexpected!"
"Goodnight darling." Willy snuggled back onto his pillow, his arms still around Rosanna. She shuffled into a more comfortable position and rested her head next to Willy's on the pillow.
"Goodnight honey."
Willy awoke with a jolt, and with an undignified yawn stretched out his arms. A few moments of oblivion passed quickly as he remembered that today, why, today was Christmas Day! Another recollection hit him and he reached over to his right for Rosanna. His hand brushed an empty pillow, his questing fingers finally closing around a thin envelope. Willy sat up, a little disappointed that Rosanna had not stayed for the whole night - he hadn't wanted to wake up alone this morning. He wasn't sure why he'd felt so terribly lonely the night before, or why he'd needed a hug to get to sleep, but when she'd slipped into bed next to him he'd felt whole for the first time in years. He looked down at the envelope in his hands. A scribbled note in pencil lifted his melancholy.
Willy - have gone to get dressed. See you in ten. R
Willy looked over to the alarm clock and nearly jumped out of his skin when he realised it was quarter to eight. Duty told him to get dressed quickly so that the Buckets would not be kept waiting, but he was more interested in opening his card than in being punctual today. He slid one finger under the flap of the envelope and gently prised it open, the card inside being removed with similar care. Willy smiled at the pair of cuddling teddy bears on the front and gave them a little wave.
"Hi guys!" He read the usual wish for a Merry Christmas on the front and opened the card, ignoring the pre-printed comment and scanning down to Rosanna's untidy scrawl at the bottom.
I hope this will be your best Christmas ever. I love you, Rosanna XXX
"Thanks," he whispered, happy tears stinging his eyes. He wiped them away and looked around the room. It was then that he noticed an odd, bulky shape hanging from the bedpost. Willy placed the card on the bedside table and scrambled over to the bottom of the bed. The weird shape turned out to be a Christmas stocking with a small, wrapped box inside. "So this is what you were up to," he muttered with a grin, "and there was me thinking you'd just come in for a kiss." He reached into the stocking and pulled out the box, rattling it experimentally. "Oh, it's socks," he grumbled. "Everyone always gets me socks. Every year, every employee. Socks." He crossed his legs grouchily and tore open the cardboard box with disdain. He just couldn't believe that Rosanna would have been so unimaginative as to have bought him… Willy's train of thought was interrupted as he plunged his hand into the box and his fingers touched not the expected wool or cotton, but cold, fine silk.
"What the?" started Willy, opening the box fully and examining the contents. He lifted out a pair of deep purple boxer shorts and blushed. "So that's what you were looking for." He checked the size label for lack of anything else to do. "Well done." Willy regarded the shorts in his hands. They were quite exquisite of course and he did like them, but the fact she was buying him underwear meant that, on some level, she was thinking about that particular part of his anatomy more than he would have liked. Willy swallowed nervously. Perhaps it hadn't been such a bright idea to pull Rosanna into bed with him the night before - come to think of it, it certainly hadn't been that good an idea if he didn't want her to assume that he wanted to… That he wanted to… Willy let the underwear slip from his grasp. Did he want to? It would certainly explain why he'd needed her by his side last night. And why he didn't mind that she embraced him all the time and… Oh gods. Willy clenched a fist and bit the knuckles in terror. While he'd known all along that Rosanna wanted more than he'd be able to give, he'd never really considered that he might change his mind. It was perhaps fortunate for Willy's sanity that a knock at the door interrupted his musings.
"Gah - come in!" shouted Willy, stuffing the boxer shorts back into their box and into the stocking. He pulled on his dressing gown as the door opened, tying the belt as he looked up to greet the intruder.
"Good morning Willy, Merry Christmas," said Dr Wonka upon entering the room and depositing a pile of Christmas presents at the door.
"Dad! Hi - Merry Christmas!" Willy smiled broadly. "Sorry - I'm running late - just give me a few minutes and I'll be ready. Wait here!" Willy picked up his clothes and darted into the bathroom to change. Dr Wonka paced around Willy's bedroom, stopping by the window to admire the view. He leaned sideways against the window recess behind the curtain. In doing so, he blocked the rest of the room from view and could concentrate on the vast landscape in front of him. Dr Wonka was feeling a little unbalanced this morning - after years of spending Christmas alone, flicking forlornly through old photograph albums and wishing he could see his son just once more, here he was in the infamous chocolate factory, about to spend the whole week's holiday with Willy and his new family. Somehow, Dr Wonka felt he just didn't fit in. The Buckets had more or less adopted the estranged and strange chocolatier and Dr Wonka wasn't sure he was that important to his son as a result. Besides, Willy now had Rosanna, someone who Dr Wonka was sure would be a permanent addition to the small community inside the factory gates. Inside this close circle of loving, open and candy-loving individuals, there was no room for a grouchy, reclusive old dentist. He clenched his fists and rubbed his knuckles together, unaccustomed to being without the latex gloves for so long. He hadn't seen a client in weeks, most avoiding dentist appointments around the holiday period for monetary reasons. He tried to shake himself out of his maudlin mood as he watched Christmas starting to get into full swing in the town below. Down in the park, families walked together in the snow. Even fate hates me, thought Dr Wonka, remembering how many times he could have gone for a walk with Willy on a crisp winter's morning but neglected to do so on account of his work. You're here now - try to enjoy today. Dr Wonka glanced to his left and saw his wife's telescope proudly displayed by his side. Wish you were here with me, Elizabeth.
Rosanna burst into Willy's room and glanced around for any sign of life. She espied a dark shadow at the window behind the curtain and ran over lightly, throwing back the curtain with a flourish.
"Hello gorgeous… oh gosh, good morning." She gave Dr Wonka a shy smile. "Merry Christmas, sir."
"Merry Christmas Rosanna," replied the dentist dryly. "You will be delighted to hear that 'gorgeous' is getting changed in the bathroom."
"Thanks." The pair looked out of the window as they searched for conversation. "Have you been downstairs to the Chocolate Room yet?"
"No."
"Oh, the Buckets have such a lovely Christmas tree - we put all our presents underneath it for everyone to open today."
"That's nice," said Dr Wonka vaguely.
"Dr Wonka, what's wrong?" asked Rosanna quietly.
"Nothing - it's Christmas and there's joy and love in the world again!" said Dr Wonka, a little too brightly as he forced a smile.
"Which is quite sickening when you're not in a joyful and loving mood," said Rosanna. Dr Wonka gratefully dropped the act and went back to staring out of the window. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
"Is this about Willy?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"He's happy you're here for Christmas you know. He's talked about you an awful lot."
"I doubt that those were very pleasant conversations."
"He's missed you," offered Rosanna.
"Has he now?"
"Oh for goodness sake!" snapped Rosanna. "When are you two going to get over yourselves?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Willy doesn't hate you, Dr Wonka, no more than you disapprove of him! But the two of you are so wound up with self-loathing that you just can't accept that you might actually enjoy each other's company!"
"Miss Derby, I really must protest…"
"Why? Someone had to say it! You both spent years avoiding one another and now even while you're in the same room you can't be more than civil to each other! For pity's sake - is it going to be another thirty years before you can accept that Willy might have forgiven you?"
"Of course not," spat Dr Wonka. "It'll take longer than that," he added quietly, looking out of the window. Rosanna stopped the sarcastic reply and touched Dr Wonka's arm lightly.
"I'm sorry. It wasn't my place." She saw Dr Wonka's face open up and was not surprised when a tear rolled slowly down his cheek.
"So much wasted time."
"Perhaps you should make the most of what you've got left? And just enjoy your time together instead of spending it worrying about the past."
"Yes. I… I know." As Dr Wonka's head sank lower over his chest, Rosanna slipped her arm around his vast chest and hugged him.
"I'm sorry - it's Christmas and I shouldn't ha-" Rosanna was cut off by the slam of the bathroom door behind her.
"What's going on? Dad - what's wrong?" asked Willy.
"I'll leave you two alone," said Rosanna, disentangling herself and scurrying out of the door.
"Dad - are you sick?"
"No. You know I'm proud of you, don't you Willy?" Dr Wonka turned to face Willy and turned his powerful gaze to Willy's face. Despite all his father's reassurances, Willy really wasn't sure and his hesitancy in replying revealed this to Dr Wonka.
"Yeah, of course," lied Willy.
"I am. I just wish I could make you believe it," said Dr Wonka, pulling Willy into his chest for a hug. They stood for a moment, Willy listening to his father's heart labouring away under the tweed jacket while wondering if this was the same jacket from years ago.
"Dad - I want to know one thing."
"Anything."
"What did you get me for Christmas?" asked Willy with a cheeky grin.
"You will find out soon enough," sighed Dr Wonka. "Is that all you want to know?"
"Seriously, what do you think of Rosanna?"
"She's wonderful. Don't let her get away."
"I don't intend to. So, shall we go and have Christmas with the Buckets?"
"After you."
"Age before beauty," insisted Willy with a grin. Dr Wonka rolled his eyes and crossed over to the door, picking up his parcels before leaving.
Charlie looked up and waved as Willy and his father approached the Bucket house. The entire Bucket clan was gathered outside the house on a variety of chairs and comfy sofas moved there for the occasion by a cohort of Oompa-Loompas earlier that morning as their last task before their ten day Christmas holiday. Charlie was sitting cross-legged next to the Christmas tree, still in his pyjamas, a large mug of chocolate in his hands. Rosanna was sitting next to him, a daft Santa hat perched on her head. She rose to help Dr Wonka deposit his presents under the tree.
"Good morning everyone!" chirped Willy, twirling his cane as he approached the group. "And a Merry Christmas to all!" After all the appropriate greetings had been exchanged and Dr Wonka had made himself comfortable on a large leather chair, Mrs Bucket clapped her hands together and smiled broadly at Charlie.
"Okay Charlie - dig in!" Charlie smiled and dived under the tree, emerging with a present for each of those gathered outside the house. After some minutes of determined paper rustling and tearing, each celebrant was holding a new present. Willy was particularly pleased with his gift from Charlie - a pair of electronic drumsticks that Willy was now using to beat out the "William Tell Overture" on Rosanna's head.
"What did you say these were called?" asked Willy.
"Rhythm sticks," answered Charlie, laughing at Rosanna's slightly irritated look.
"And how long do the batteries last for?"
"Ages. And they're AA batteries so they're easy to replace."
"Brilliant!" said Willy, air-drumming an impressive outro and ending in a cymbal clash.
"Oh, goodie," drawled Rosanna.
An hour later and all the presents had been opened. Along with the rhythm sticks, Willy had received a purple knitted jumper from Mrs Bucket with a large 'W' in yellow on the front. He had instantly stripped off his coat and waistcoat upon opening the gift and donned the jumper with a look of childish delight. His father had presented him with a new, golden 'W' and Willy proudly pinned the new brooch at his throat, pocketing his older insignia and patting the pocket affectionately. The new brooch was engraved on the reverse with a message from his father - Per Ardua Ad Astra. It seemed apt given their turbulent history together. Charlie of course got the best haul - with books, clothes, a new television and DVD player for his attic room (Willy kept his reservations about this gift to himself) and an assortment of games, puzzles and stationery. Rosanna and Dr Wonka both had the raw deal with only four presents each and Rosanna felt a little guilty when she received a stunning coat in exchange for the ugly tie and bottle of brandy she'd bought for Dr Wonka. While Charlie went to put some of his presents in the house, Willy opened his last present - quite by chance, the 'safe' extra present Rosanna had bought for him. As he ripped off the paper, a look of confusion crossed his face.
"But I already have sunglasses Rosanna."
"They're swimming goggles. Ready for your lessons starting next week - or had you forgotten?" teased Rosanna.
"No - I hadn't forgotten. That's a really thoughtful present - thanks!" Willy looked down at the goggles in his hand. They were purple (of course) with his WW motif decorating the frames. In the event of his sinking under the water never to emerge, at least he'd be able to see the rest of the pool as he drowned. Willy pushed that thought to the back of his mind and looked over to Rosanna, smiling as she played nervously with her necklace. He was pleased that the cocoa wood had retained its scent.
"You sure you like them?"
"Yes - they're groovy. Thanks," said Willy, planting a quick kiss on Rosanna's forehead before thinking about his audience. "Oh, sorry," he mumbled, looking at Grandpa George's nauseous look.
"So what now?" asked Mrs Bucket. "What do you like to do on Christmas Day Willy?"
Willy exchanged a quick look with his father. He wasn't sure that "eat dinner, watch the Queen's speech, fall asleep in front of television" was the right answer. He thought back to when Christmas had actually meant something more to him than a reminder he was totally alone.
"We could play a game," suggested Willy.
During the course of the rest of the morning the Buckets and company played various board games that Willy had found in the games room built some years previously. Trivial Pursuit was a great success, although Charlie was a little disappointed that he hadn't got to find out what was in the big, carved wooden box that played jungle music when you shook it. At long last it was time for lunch. It seems unnecessary to describe Willy's delight at the spread presented by Mrs Bucket, nor does his thinly veiled glee at the sight of a flaming Christmas Pudding complete with holly and brandy sauce require excessive exposition. After everyone had finished their dinner, the grandparents retired to bed to sleep off the extravagant meal and Mr and Mrs Bucket went out for an afternoon visit to friends with Charlie, leaving Willy, Rosanna and Dr Wonka at a bit of a loss as to what to do.
"We could always go to the park," suggested Rosanna, remembering how Dr Wonka had watched the families walking there earlier.
"You know, I think it's a little too cold out there for me," said Dr Wonka. "Why don't you two go ahead?" he added. Willy's obvious disappointment was dispelled when his father, despairing at Willy's lack of common sense, continued, "I'm sure that you and Rosanna would like some time alone."
"No, we're happy for you to be there," said Willy.
"Unless you would like some time alone," said Rosanna quickly. She was rather taken with the idea of a walk in the snow without parental interference.
"I think I would - I'm not as young as I was," laughed Dr Wonka, his strong baritone suggesting that, despite age, he was more than capable of walking around a park.
"We could stay with you if you like, I don't want you feel left out," said Willy.
"Wilhelm Wonka, go for a walk with your girlfriend and that's an order!" said Dr Wonka with mock sternness.
"Yes sir," muttered Willy quickly. He shrugged into his coat quickly and, with burning cheeks, led Rosanna out of the Chocolate Room and into the hall.
"Wilhelm?" asked Rosanna.
"Yes?"
"Nothing," giggled Rosanna.
"What?"
"Nothing - sorry, it's just… Wilhelm."
"What's wrong with Wilhelm? It's a good, strong, German name and the Von Wonka's were from Germany."
"Germany?"
"Yes - they moved over here in the nineteenth century. Why?"
"Nothing, it's just interesting that's all." They walked on in silence. "Willy?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry for giggling at your name."
"It's okay, I'm used to it. Why do you think I go by Willy?"
"If it makes you feel any better, my middle name's Mildred." Willy stopped mid-step and guffawed loudly. "Now that's out of the way, onwards," said Rosanna, cursing her mother for her attachment to Great Aunt Mildred Awen Jones.
The park was crowded considering the bitter weather. Rosanna listened the crunching of the snow beneath their feet and allowed her gaze to wander around the park while she held onto Willy's arm. Wearing his enormous sunglasses, Willy was lost in his own thoughts and hiding from the world again. They came to a bench obscured from the main path by some leafless bushes and Willy sat down, beckoning Rosanna to sit next to him.
"Isn't it lovely here?" sighed Rosanna.
"Yes. Rosanna?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
"Are you happy with me?"
"More than happy darling, you know that."
"I love you very much you know."
"Yes I do, what's wrong Willy? You look awfully serious." She lifted a hand and pulled off Willy's sunglasses, knocking off his top hat in the process. She made to rescue it from the snow, but Willy stopped her. His forehead was furrowed as if he was in a great amount of pain.
"Leave it. Rosanna, I want to know why you bought me the boxers."
"Oh, I thought you liked them?"
"I do, but could you answer the question please?"
"I thought that you'd like them and it's hard to buy for someone like you. You already have everything."
"But underwear came to mind first?"
"Well, no, beer did but you don't drink the stuff so…"
"Why underwear?"
"Because that's what everyone gets their boyfriend at Christmas Willy - that or shaving gel and I know you use that Oompa-Loompan recipe so I couldn't get that."
"I see. So there was no hidden motive?"
"What?"
"No secret desire to, well, move-things-along-a-bit-quicker?" asked Willy, stumbling over the words as he forced them out.
"Well, maybe," admitted Rosanna, realising that she'd broken the take it slow code they'd introduced at the start of their relationship.
"I see." Willy stared at his gloved hands and his face contorted as he digested this new piece of information. "I guessed as much."
"I'm sorry if I've offended you."
"Not at all, I'm rather flattered, just a little… scared." Willy looked up at Rosanna. "When I think about you, I imagine myself cuddling you and protecting you from the evil world, perhaps even kissing you. I could lose myself in a fantasy of kissing you at sunrise," he touched her cheek briefly with a gloved hand.
"Oh my," gulped Rosanna.
"But now it seems that your - imaginings - are more intense than that and I'm concerned that I'm going to let you down at some point."
"Willy, you'd never let me down. I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to."
"That's the problem," said Willy, edging closer to Rosanna and hugging her to his chest for the support he needed. "I'm not sure that I don't want to anymore."
"That's a double negative."
"I know."
"Are you trying to say that you want to make love to me?" asked Rosanna, her heart hammering as she held Willy close to her.
"Well," he hesitated. "Sort of," whispered Willy, closing his eyes in pain. "And then again no. I don't want to yet, but when I thought about why you might have bought me those boxers this morning I realised what you probably wanted and I, well, I wasn't repulsed by the idea. Which is a big step forward for me and it was not intended as an insult, which that probably sounded like…"
"Willy, you're whittering again."
"Oh, I wonder why?" said Willy with a sarcastic laugh. "I think I'm going crazy. I'm still trying to suppress the xenophobe in me you know - every so often I have to overcome this urge to run screaming from you."
"That's quite normal, I wouldn't worry about it," drawled Rosanna. She pulled back and gave Willy a beaming smile. "I love you."
"I love you too." Rosanna leaned forward and kissed Willy, this time allowing her hands to roam freely over his back and waist and not bothering to check herself for fear of scaring him. Willy trembled slightly, but bravely tried to return the action, his hands shaking as they stroked down to Rosanna's waist and came to rest on her hips. The kiss ended and Willy pulled back. "Never leave me," he begged, pulling Rosanna to his chest and almost crushing her with the force of the hug.
"Not going anywhere," promised Rosanna, squirming to try and give herself breathing space. A papery rustle from the top pocket of Willy's coat made them both freeze and back away a little. Frowning, Willy reached into the pocket and pulled out a dented envelope.
"Oh, I forgot - I'm so sorry. It's your card."
"It's okay, better late than never!"
"But it's crumpled," complained Willy, annoyed that the card, complete with the poem he'd spent four days composing was bent out of shape.
"Never heard of an iron, have you?" said Rosanna, taking the card out of Willy's hand and opening it eagerly. The card was plain and elegant, a cut-out Christmas tree decorating the front. "Did you make this?"
"Yes. Open it." Willy peered over nervously as Rosanna opened the card and started to read the handwritten poem inside.
I met you on a cold October's night,
Having suffered quite a fright,
You picked me up, you dusted me down,
And saved me from the evil clowns.
Now I cannot breathe without you,
I know that you also need me too.
I cannot express in words how I feel,
You've stolen my mind, this feeling's unreal.
It's like a thousand whangdoodles are loose in my brain
Telling me a hundred different things again and again
Who would have thought a night at the circus
Would have caused this kind of ruckus?
Anyway, the thing is, what I need to say
Is that my heart is yours this Christmas Day.
I love you Rosanna.
"Oh Willy, that's lovely!" giggled Rosanna, trying to forgive the phrase 'you also need me too' in deference of the fact he'd made such an effort . "No-one's ever written poetry to me before."
"It's not that good," blushed Willy.
"It's perfect." Rosanna leaned over and took Willy's hands in hers. "I'm so lucky to have you with me."
"Likewise."
"Willy?"
"Yes?"
"Merry Christmas." Rosanna and Willy embraced as a fresh snowfall started. Willy thought it was awfully inconvenient that, just as he was starting to enjoy the moment, freezing cold lumps of ice were landing on his face distracting him. He ignored them and kissed Rosanna, intrigued by the fact she seemed to be enjoying the mush descending on her from the sky above. Willy melted into the kiss, ignoring the rest of the world as he contemplated the greeting from Rosanna's card. Was this his best Christmas ever? Quite possibly, thought Willy as Rosanna ran her hand through his hair, Quite possibly.
Author's Note:
Yes, I know, Willy's got a Weasley jumper. ;-) A not-so-subtle nod to mumsy gifts from HP back when JKR could still write and… (wanders off muttering about book 6).
The rhythm sticks actually exist - they can be found on www dot iwantoneofthose dot com if you want to see what they're like. They looked like a typical Wonka gift.
Anyway , please review! I like getting feedback. ;-)