Chapter 6
Halloween was a big time of year for candy purchases. Christmas was also a good time, but it was not as big as Halloween. During the holiday season, Candace invented dozens of new candies, including a whole menu of different flavored fudges. There was Strawberry Fudge, Cherry Fudge, Lemon Fudge, Jalapeño Fudge, Blueberry Fudge and Liquorice Fudge. There were over fifty different flavors.
More and more customers kept coming back for more of Wonka's delicious chocolates and candies. On special occasions, Walter and Candace would offer free sweets and candies to children who had little to no pocket money. Even Jenny came around once in a while and was given free samples to try. She eventually became their official candy taster and gave her opinion if she thought other children would like the new candies or not.
"Would you like to sample some fudge, Jenny?"
Candace cut a small piece of white fudge with blueberry-flavored chocolate chips and gave it to Jenny. The heavenly taste of creamy white chocolate and blueberry sweetness melted in her mouth like fairy floss.
"This is the best fudge I've ever eaten, Mrs. Wonka", Jenny exclaimed. "I'm going to tell all my friends to come here and buy some."
Everybody loved Wonka's Candies, but not everybody celebrated their success. The jealousy of rival candy makers grew bigger each and every day. A lot of the other candy-making companies wanted to know how to replicate these enchanted sweets and put the Wonkas out of business. Candace was strongly tempted to cast a spell over the candy store, so that whenever an employee from a rival company tried to break in and steal her confectionery secrets, they would either break out into a rash or turn into a chicken or their shoes would suddenly start making them dance for no reason at all. Walter was displeased with her motivation, though he agreed that something should be done, preferably without using any magic. They decided to put in an alarm system instead.
Three days before Christmas, Walter became sick with a cold. Candace offered to stay home and take care of him, but Walter insisted she go run the shop without him. She complied to her husband's wishes and told him to rest up while she went to run the candy store for him. She loved being at the shop and greeting people as they came in and bought bagfuls of candy. She also got to spend more time talking to the two employee friends, Peter and Mrs. Albertson. Neither one of them ever suspected she was a witch.
On Christmas Eve, the streets were packed with customers who were rushing into shops at the last minute for gifts and goodies. Candace was on her feet constantly, busy as a beehive. She was just taking a lunch break with Peter and Mrs. Albertson when a man in a dark suit came in and asked to speak with the owner.
"I'm sorry, sir, but my husband is in bed with a cold", said Candace.
"Are you Mrs. Candace Wonka?"
"I am."
"My name is Mr. Slugworth. I understand you have the most unique candy anybody has ever invented in the world. I would like to invest into your candy business with you and your husband, and become partners together."
"I know who you are, Mr. Slugworth", Candace retorted. "You're friends with Mr. Ficklegruber. As for your business proposition, I say go boil your head, you worthless sack of skunk droppings!"
"How dare you speak to me like that", Mr. Slugworth exclaimed in shock.
"I warn you, Mr. Slugworth, leave this store now or shall have to get very nasty with you! And if you or Mr. Ficklegruber ever come back, I shall call the police. Is that understood?"
Mrs. Albertson and Peter stood beside Candace, ready to take action against Mr. Slugworth if they needed. Not wanting to make a scene, Mr. Slugworth turned with a bitter scowl on his face and headed for the door. On his way out, he knocked over a jar of jawbreakers. Sprinkles of glass shards and multi-colored candies rolled everywhere. Candace sighed and went to retrieve a broom and a dustpan, cleaning up the mess he left behind.
"I don't understand why Mr. Ficklegruber and Mr. Slugworth can't just make their own candies and chocolates", said Peter. "Why do they think they have to steal from people?"
"Because some people are jealous of other people's success", said Candace, dumping the broken glass and jawbreakers into a trashcan behind the counter. "I've invented hundreds of candies that came straight out of my own head, and I still have a million more that I want to try. If I can be creative and put my heart into it, why can't they?"
"You have a point, Mrs. Wonka, but I still don't think it's right", said Peter.
"I agree", Mrs. Albertson added in. "Last month, I was approached by Mr. Prodnose as I was walking home from the shop. He offered me a lot of money in exchange for one of your recipes, but I told him no. 'I know where my loyalty lies', I told him. Then I hit him with my purse and scared him off. You and Walter have been very good friends to me, Candace. And I, for one, don't sell my friends out to their enemies, no matter how much money they offer."
"Me, too", Peter agreed. "You and Mr. Wonka have become like a mom and dad to me, Mrs. Wonka. And I wouldn't give up either one of you for anything."
"You know what?" Candace asked them. "I think you two are the bestest friends I've ever had." Candace wrapped an arm around each one of them and they all became entrapped into a tight hug, solidifying their friendship.
Around four o'clock, Candace started to experience fatigue and mild nausea. Mrs. Albertson suspected something was wrong and told her to sit down for a while.
"Are you ill, Candace?" Mrs. Albertson asked her.
"Oh, no, I'm quite all right, Mrs. Albertson", said Candace. "I'm just feeling a little tired."
"Why don't you go home early then? Peter and I will close up shop for you."
"All right, Mrs. Albertson. Here's the key."
"If I don't see you and Walter tomorrow, I hope you both have a happy Christmas."
"You as well. Merry Christmas, Peter."
"You, too. Mrs. Wonka. I hope you and Mr. Wonka feel better soon."
"Yes, I hope so, too. Bye."
Candace walked home on a cold, snowy night and came back and saw Walter walking around, feeling much better. He went over to give her a kiss, but then stopped himself when he noticed how pale and sickly she looked.
"Candace, are you feeling all right?" Walter asked her. "You don't look so well."
"I'm fine, Walter, I'm just feeling a little tired", said Candace.
"You have been running ragged lately", Walter noted. "Why don't you go lie down upstairs for a while? I'll bring you some soup to make you feel better."
Candace nodded and went upstairs to the bedroom and changed into her nightdress and lied in bed. She reading a book when Walter came in with a bowl of hot soup on a serving tray and placed it over her lap.
"You know, Candace, that's the third time this week you've been getting sick", said Walter. "Are you sure you're feeling all right? I hope you're not coming down with something serious."
"I'm fine, Walter", Candace reassure him. "Really, I am. Yes, I had a little nausea this afternoon, but it wasn't too serious. Mrs. Albertson and Peter closed up shop for us tonight. I told her we would get the key from her the day after Christmas. I'll feel better after I've had a good night sleep."
A few weeks later, Candace presented Walter with a triple layered, chocolate chip cake covered in blue frosting and a dozen sugar violets. The message on the cake read, Happy Birthday, Walter, written in green icing.
"Happy birthday, my love", Candace mused. "And now, I have a special present to give you." Candace presented Walter with a birthday card, and when he opened it to read it, he found there was a blue feather inside.
"What does this mean, dear? Walter asked her.
"What do you think it means?" Candace asked him, beaming from ear to ear with excitement.
Walter chuckled and answered, "I haven't the foggiest idea."
"Think about it, Walter. The feather is blue, and it's your birthday, and you've noticed I've been going through some changes with my body and emotions, which means only one thing."
Walter thought it over, then his eyes grew really big. He felt as though a firecracker had just gone off inside his head. He looked at Candace with his mouth hung open in surprise and said, "You mean you're-"
"Yes!" Candace shrieked happily, then threw her arms around her husband's neck and trapped him into a tight hug, laughing. Walter hugged her back and spun Candace around in a fit of glee, feeling all warm inside.
"Oh, Candace, this is wonderful news!" Walter exclaimed. He released his wife and looked at her. "Candace, this is the best birthday present anyone's ever given me. Just imagine it. A son, someone to pass down the name of Wonka. Why, I bet when he grows up, he'll be just as good a candy maker as you are."
Candace's smile slipped a little bit. "Well, now that you mention it...", she said. Candace turned around and took three steps away from Walter, then turned back to him and admitted, "You see, Walter, I'm not sure if the baby will inherit my powers or not. It may turn out normal, or it may turn out be a little witch or wizard. I know you love me, powers or no powers, but if our baby turns out the same, will you still love it just as much as you love me?"
"Oh, Candace, you know I will", Walter answered. "I don't care if the baby has powers like you or turns out to be normal like me. As long as it gets here, that's all I care about. I love you, Candace."
"Oh, Walter, you're a saint." Candace kissed her husband lovingly and hugged him again.
The following day, Walter and Candace went to the candy shop, and told Peter and Mrs. Albertson the good news, that they were expecting their first child. Mrs. Albertson shrieked with excitement and hugged the expecting mother.
"Congratulations, Mr. Wonka", said Peter, shaking his hand.
"Thank you", said Walter.
"Tell us, is it a boy or a girl?" Mrs. Albertson asked them.
"We're expecting a boy in June", Candace answered.
"Oh, do allow me to throw you a baby shower, Candace", Mrs. Albertson begged. "I know some lady friends who are fantastic party planners and they just love throwing baby showers."
Walter and Candace Wonka could hardly believe it. Just last year, they were married. Now they were having a baby.