Disclaimer: Other than the Bucket babies, nothing in this story is mine.

A/n: As always, thanks to my lovely reviewers! You know I love reviews, so please keep 'em coming! Oh, and if you review, you'll get a Wonka bar and a hug from Willy!

Chapter 11: A Mother's Love

It was two months after Willy's birthday, and Mrs. Bucket was now eight months pregnant. It was noon, and, as usual, Willy had joined the Buckets for lunch (except for Mr. Bucket, who was working at the toothpaste factory). "Just think, it won't be to much longer and the twins will be here!" Charlie commented. "Please, don't remind me!" Willy moaned. "I have to admit, I am a little concerned about how I'm going to get to the hospital when the time comes," said Mrs. Bucket.

She had a point. The Buckets didn't own a car (the toothpaste factory where Mr. Bucket worked was within walking distance of the chocolate factory), and there was no way Mrs. Bucket was going to ride in the glass elevator! "The hospital?" Willy asked, sounding horrified. "Well, yes, Willy. When the time comes for the babies to born, I'll need to go to the hospital so the doctors can help," Mrs. Bucket explained.

"But you can't leave the factory!" exclaimed Willy. "Willy…" began Mrs. Bucket, but Willy interrupted her. "It'll just attract all sorts of attention!" he wailed. Mrs. Bucket sighed. "Well…" she started to say, but, once again, Willy interrupted her. "I'm sure some of the Oompa Loompa midwives could help you," he said. "Well, all right," Mrs. Bucket finally agreed. Suddenly, Willy looked very worried. "Mrs. Bucket, when the babies are born, well…you're not going to die, are you?" he asked.

Needless to say, no one had been expecting that question! "How dare you suggest that my daughter…" Grandpa George began ranting. "Dad, please!" Mrs. Bucket said sternly. "Willy, why on earth do you think my mom is going to die in childbirth?" Charlie asked. "Because…because…I don't want to talk about it, 'kay?" Willy stammered. Then, without another word, he got up and ran out of the house.

"I'll be back in a little while," Mrs. Bucket told her family as she headed out of the house. As she stepped out into the Chocolate Room, she heard loud sobs. She followed them, and found Willy sitting near the Chocolate River. His head was in his hands and he was crying. "Willy?" Mrs. Bucket said softly.

The Chocolatier removed his head from his purple-gloved hands and looked up at Mrs. Bucket. "I…she…it's all my fault!" he wailed. "Willy, what's the matter?" Mrs. Bucket asked. "My m-m-m-, my m-m-m-" Willy stammered. "Your mother?" asked Mrs. Bucket. "Yeah, her. She died!" Willy wailed. "How did she die?" Mrs. Bucket asked gently. "W-w-when she was h-h-having m-m-me!" Willy sobbed. Suddenly, Mrs. Bucket understood what was going on. She opened up her arms. Without hesitating, Willy threw himself into them. Mrs. Bucket gently rocked the Chocolatier back and forth and rubbed his back while he sobbed into her shoulder.

Finally, Willy's sobs grew quieter. "Willy, I don't know why your mother died in childbirth, but, whatever the reason, it wasn't your fault," Mrs. Bucket said gently. "It wasn't?" Willy asked. "Of course not, Willy!" said Mrs. Bucket. "Oh," said Willy. "That said, I'm probably not going to die in childbirth. Most women don't," Mrs. Bucket assured the Chocolatier. "Thank goodness!" said Willy.

A few minutes later, Willy and Mrs. Bucket headed back to the Buckets' house. "We're back!" said Mrs. Bucket. "Is everything okay?" Grandpa Joe asked. "It is now. Willy was just concerned about the twins' birth, that's all," said Mrs. Bucket. "Hey, squirt, want to go work on some of our new inventions?" Willy asked Charlie. Charlie smiled, relieved to see that his mentor was back to normal (well, normal for him, anyway). "You bet!" he said.

A/n: As always, I hoped you enjoyed it! Oh yeah, about Willy allowing Mrs. Bucket to hold him. I know he doesn't usually like being touched, but I figured that even he needs to be comforted sometimes! Anyway, please review!

Chapter 12 preview: Willy "helps" the Buckets prepare for the twins' arrival!