Disclaimer: It's called FanFiction for a reason, right? The only thing I own is the Bucket baby.

A/n: As usual, thanks for reviewing! I love reviews, and they inspire me to write more, so please keep 'em coming! Of course, you know what I'll do with flames!

Chapter 4: Mood Swings

That night, Willy was actually early for supper with the Buckets. "Hi, Willy!" Charlie cheerfully greeted his mentor. Willy smiled. "Hey, squirt!" he said ("Squirt" was Willy's special nickname for Charlie). "Would you mind helping me set the table?" Charlie asked. "Of course not!" responded Willy as he grabbed a handful of silverware. Willy and Charlie talked excitedly about their latest inventions while they worked. Suddenly, without warning, Willy gasped and dropped the bowl he was holding. It hit the floor and shattered.

"Willy, you klutz! Just look at what you did!" Mrs. Bucket exploded. Willy was shocked. He had never, ever, EVER, heard Mrs. Bucket yell before! In fact, he had rarely even seen her get mad! "Mrs. Bucket, I…" Willy stammered. "You have officially worn out your welcome! You can just get your own supper!" snapped Mrs. Bucket. "What did you say?" Willy gasped. "Get out, NOW!" screamed Mrs. Bucket. Willy obeyed, fighting back tears.

When he reached his private quarters, Willy threw himself on his bed, buried his face in the pillows, and began to sob. He couldn't believe he was crying. He NEVER cried. When Willy was a kid, his father had always told him, "Boys don't cry!". Willy shuddered as he remembered his childhood and the way his father had treated him. The strictness, the harsh words, the beatings… Just thinking about it made Willy cry even harder. "Stop that! Boys don't cry!" Willy told himself. He was disgusted with himself. What a baby he was, to be carrying on like this. He wanted to slap himself.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Go away!" Willy said. "Willy, it's me," said a very familiar female voice. "Mrs. Bucket?" Willy asked. "Yes, and I'd like to talk to you," replied Mrs. Bucket. "Okay, come on in," said Willy. Mrs. Bucket came in and walked over to Willy's bed. Willy tried to hide his tear-stained face before Mrs. Bucket could see him crying. "I'm sorry!" he cried.

"No, Willy, I'm the one that's sorry. I should never have yelled at you like that," said Mrs. Bucket. "You-you've never yelled at me like that before," said Willy. Mrs. Bucket sighed. "I know. I should have warned you before," she said. "What do you mean?" Willy asked. "Willy, often times, when women are pregnant, they get very moody," Mrs. Bucket explained. "Why?" asked Willy. "It has to do with all the hormones my body is producing right now," she said. Willy looked bewildered.

"Horror-mines? What are Horror-mines?" he asked. Mrs. Bucket had to stifle a giggle. "They're called Hormones, Willy, and they're…well, they're special chemicals that our bodies make. Generally, they make us feel a certain way. Usually, it's a pleasant feeling, like being in love…" she began. "Like Endorphins?" Willy interrupted. Mrs. Bucket smiled. "Exactly! Endorphins are a type of hormone! Some hormones, however, cause unpleasant feelings, such as moodiness," she said. "Oh," said Willy.

Suddenly, Willy started to look uncomfortable. "You're not going to yell at me again, are you?" he asked. "Well, I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best not to," she said. "Mrs. Bucket?" Willy asked. "Yes, Willy?" said Mrs. Bucket. "I'm a bad boy!" Willy cried. Mrs. Bucket was shocked. "What on earth makes you think that?" she asked. "Because, I've been crying!" exclaimed Willy. "Crying doesn't make you bad, Willy," said Mrs. Bucket. "Yes it does! My d-d-d…well, you know, him…he always told me that boys don't cry!" wailed Willy.

Mrs. Bucket felt bad for the Chocolatier. No wonder he was so upset! "Willy, your father was wrong. Everyone cries sometimes; boys, girls, men, women…even Chocolatiers," said Mrs. Bucket. Then, she gave Willy a hug. Willy stiffened at first, but then he (rather awkwardly) returned the hug. "Are you going to be all right?" Mrs. Bucket asked. "Yeah, I'll be fine," Willy assured her. "Okay, then," said Mrs. Bucket. Just before she left, she leaned over and gave Willy a quick kiss on the cheek. As she headed for the glass elevator, she could hear a very loud, "EW!"

A/n: Hope you liked it! Oh, and don't worry; Mrs. Bucket isn't falling for Willy or anything like that. The kiss on the cheek was meant as a motherly gesture. Also, for those of you wondering what caused Willy to gasp and drop that bowl, that will be revealed in a later chapter!

Chapter 5 preview: Willy has a flashback that reveals part of the reason he dislikes babies so much.