A/N: Geez, three chapters in one day--this is most defiantly a record. And once I get reviews, you can look for your responses. For now…hmmm, things will begin to get interesting. Mr. Wonka gets a most interesting proposal, and must figure out the best way to handle it…read on, my pretties! And be on the lookout for Wonka quotes at the beginnings of my chapters!

Disclaimer: Sigh, I own my OCs, but sadly, nothing that even resembles a chocolate factory or our favorite chocolatiers. Except for my edition of the book that has movie pics inside…

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Chapter 3: A Most Interesting Idea…

A whirlwind blew into the Bucket's home so fast that Mrs. Bucket was entirely uncertain as to whether it was her son Charlie or perhaps some strange factory creature that she had yet to come into contact with. Only the clatter of books and a quick "Hi mum!" gave her the reassurance that this whirlwind's name was in fact Charlie Bucket.

Just as Charlie was about to race out the door again, Mrs. Bucket reached down and caught him in her arms. Twisting him around so that his back was to her, she leaned down next to his ear.

"Now is that any way to greet your most favorite mum in the whole world?" she asked, grinning and tickling the squirming Charlie.

"Mum…" Charlie laughed, trying to wiggle away. She released him and turned him around to face her.

"How was school?" she asked, as Charlie caught his breath.

"Fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

"No trouble?"

"No trouble." At this, Mrs. Bucket narrowed her eyes and peered at her son. Charlie wasn't one to lie, but he had seemed a bit wide-eyed when he'd answered.

"Charlie…"she said, a warning tone in her voice.

"No trouble, mum," Charlie answered again with the shake of his head. His mother stared at him for a moment longer before nodding once.

"Good."

Since it seemed that he had passed his mother's inspection, Charlie headed for the door. Mrs. Bucket, though she had turned back to the stove, saw him out of the corner of her eye. "Now just where do you think you're going?" she asked. Charlie froze.

"Mr. Wonka wanted me to meet him…" he started.

Mrs. Bucket cut him off with one hand. "Homework first," she instructed.

"I finished it in study hall," Charlie answered. Mrs. Bucket narrowed her eyes at him again.

"All of it?"

Charlie nodded and smiled at his mother. "All of it."

Mrs. Bucket smiled herself. "Alright, then. Go on." The words were barely out of her mouth before Charlie was out the door. "And don't be late for supper!" she added, yelling after him.

The Bucket family was just finishing up their preparations for dinner when Charlie and Mr. Wonka entered the small house. "Right on time," Mrs. Bucket said, smiling at the newcomers. Mr. Wonka hung his hat by the door and put down his cane.

"Staying for supper, Willy?" Mr. Bucket asked, eliciting a smile from the shy chocolatier.

"Yes, please," he answered, taking what was rapidly becoming his regular seat at the table.

Dinner proceeded with the usual description of days and family small talk. When a lull finally presented itself in the conversation, Charlie looked at his mother to ask her the question that had been growing on his mind all day.

"Mum, may I invite Beka over for supper tomorrow?"

Mrs. Bucket exchanged a quick look with Mr. Bucket as she dished out more mashed potatoes for Grandma Josephine. "I don't mind Charlie, as long as it's okay with Mr. Wonka. He may not want you inviting someone new into the factory just yet."

Charlie switched his gaze to his new mentor, who had taken a peculiar interest in his roast beef as soon as he had heard Charlie's question. "Do you mind Mr. Wonka? I think you'd like her."

Mr. Wonka looked up at Charlie and glanced nervously around the table. "Well, uh…who's this?"

"Rebeka Smithens," Mrs. Bucket answered, before Charlie could say anything. "She and Charlie have been very good friends since they were in diapers."

"Mum…"Charlie groaned. Mrs. Bucket just smiled at him.

"The girl's practically family, Willy. She's very sweet. Her mother and I have been friends for years," Mrs. Bucket continued.

"I think you'd like her, Willy. She's a lot like Charlie," Mr. Bucket added. Mr. Wonka glanced around the table. Everyone seemed to be waiting for his answer.

After just a moment's pause, Mr. Wonka smiled brightly at his apprentice. "Well of course she can come," he answered. He leaned over slightly in Charlie's direction. "I look forward to meeting her."

Charlie smiled broadly and let out a smile sigh of relief. "Great." Mr. Wonka nodded and smiled, and the rest of meal went quite pleasantly. Inwardly, however, Willy Wonka cringed at this new idea. What on earth was he going to do?

That evening, after he had left the Bucket's home and finished up the night's business, Willy Wonka paced around his lounge in his robe and slippers. "What to do, what to do…" He muttered under his breath.

You see, Mr. Wonka truly hated the idea of Charlie inviting his best friend to the factory. He liked to think that he would be Charlie's best friend, and that they would spend lots and lots of time together, just the two of them, going over all of Wonka's wonderful ideas and inventions. But this other friend…well now, this simply wouldn't do at all.

Mr. Wonka paced up and down, letting the more mischievous part of his brain work its magic. He couldn't let something actually happen to the girl, oh no--certainly nothing like what had happened to the other four Golden Ticket winners. First of all, he didn't want to make Charlie mad at him, and he certainly didn't want to give the Buckets any reason to want to leave the factory. Besides, if Charlie was such good friends with the girl, then Mr. Wonka was sure that she wasn't nearly as beastly as the other children who'd come to his factory. If fact, she was probably perfectly pleasant. So no, nothing could actually happen to her…

But now, if she were to choose not to come back to the factory, if he could just frighten her a bit to think twice about coming back…well now, that was a horse of a different color. Maybe, just maybe…slowly, a particularly devilish smile crossed Willy Wonka's face. Oh yes, perhaps that was the answer to problem after all.