Disclaimer: Other than the Bucket twins, I don't own anything in this story.

A/n: Sorry about the long wait! As usual, thanks for reviewing! Please keep those reviews coming!

Chapter 12: Last-minute Preparations

Now that Mrs. Bucket had convinced him that most women don't die in childbirth, Willy was in a much better mood. He still wasn't exactly thrilled about the impending birth of the twins, but he tried not let it bother him too much. One day, while he was eating lunch with the Buckets (minus Mr. Bucket, who was, as usual, at his job at the toothpaste factory), Mrs. Bucket suddenly said, "We really need to get ready!"

Willy was confused. "Ready for what?" he asked. "Ready for the twins, Willy. They'll be here before you know it!" replied Mrs. Bucket. "Don't remind me!" moaned Willy. "It's high-time we start getting ready for them," said Mrs. Bucket, completely ignoring Willy. "I'll help you, Mom," Charlie offered. "That would be great!" said Mrs. Bucket. Then, they both looked at Willy.

The Chocolatier giggled nervously. "I…uh, need to go do something in the Inventing Room," he said. "Willy, Mom and I need your help," Charlie said. "Oh, all right!" Willy finally agreed. While Mrs. Bucket started sorting through some of Charlie's old baby things, Charlie and Willy began assembling the cribs.

It didn't take very long for Charlie to learn that, while Willy was very good at inventing and making candy, he was a pretty lousy mechanic. For one thing, he couldn't seem to make head nor tales of the assembly instructions! Luckily, Charlie was able to figure them out. Patiently, he talked Willy through each of the steps. Somehow, they managed to get the cribs put together properly!

Once Charlie and Willy were done with the cribs, Mrs. Bucket put them to work helping her sort through Charlie's baby things. Willy picked up what looked sort of like a weird towel. "What is this towel for?" he asked. "Uh, Willy, that's not a towel. It's a cloth diaper," said Mrs. Bucket (naturally, as poor as the Buckets had been when Charlie was a baby, disposable diapers had been out of the question). Willy dropped the diaper as if it had burned him. "EW! Gross!" he exclaimed, feeling slightly nauseated.

Charlie couldn't help but giggle. "Willy, relax! It's perfectly clean!" he said. "I don't care! It's still icky!" Willy insisted. Mrs. Bucket just shook her head. Charlie was folding some of his old baby clothes. "Was I really that tiny?" he asked. Mrs. Bucket smiled. "Yes, you were," she replied.

By that evening, just about everything was ready for the twins' arrival. During supper, Willy noticed that Mrs. Bucket seemed to be nervous about something. "Mrs. Bucket, are you all right?" he asked her.

"I'm just fine, Willy, but thanks for asking," said Mrs. Bucket. Truth be told, she was feeling a little uneasy. About what, she wasn't sure, but, at any rate, she certainly didn't need to worry Willy. "Willy's right, Mom. You do seem to be kind of nervous about something," spoke up Charlie. "How 'bout a walk in the Chocolate Room? Nothing like candy to cheer you up!" Willy suggested. "Great idea, Willy!" said Mrs. Bucket.

A few minutes later, Willy and Mrs. Bucket were walking around the Chocolate Room. Mrs. Bucket had to admit that being in the Chocolate Room did cheer her up. "Thanks for suggesting this, Willy. I feel a little better now," said Mrs. Bucket. "Well, you know, I come here a lot when something is bumming me out," Willy replied.

Suddenly, Mrs. Bucket stopped in her tracks. She was starting to feel pains in her abdomen; pains she hadn't felt since the day Charlie was born. "Oh, my!" she gasped. "Mrs. Bucket, is something wrong?" Willy asked. "Willy…I think it's time!" Mrs. Bucket said softly.

A/n: Sorry about the cliffhanger! I just couldn't resist! As usual, please review!

Chapter 13 preview: The twins are born!