I do not own anything from Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Food Network is not mine either. All rights and likenesses belong to Roald Dahl, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Thank you for reading! I appreciate your words of support and suggestions. Special thanks go out to Yva – you're the best! – Stealth Phoenix

Epilogue

It was quiet up on the hill under the peppermint tree. Sweet leaves provided a haven to those who rested under its branches – sheltering them from the outside world and those who would intrude on a moment's peace.

Willy sat upon the ground, knees curled up to his chest, cane lying beside him on the ground. His violet eyes were distant and sad. He stared off into the distance, not really watching the Oompa Loompa workers as they solemnly prepared for the ritual ahead. Flowers adorned the long table at the front where the center of the ceremony would take place.

Sherman watched his employer with a patient knowing gaze, understanding the larger man's pain – there were battles that one could win and those one could lose. Seldom did one get to choose ahead of time which was which. His employer had been subdued since returning to the factory after the fateful competition – secluding himself for long hours and driving himself hard. It was time to heal and let go.

Three months has passed – many things had changed, mused Sherman wearily, but others remained the same. Won-Ka would not forgive himself his failings, and he would never give up on him.

Sherman hiked to the top of the hill – the stresses of the past few months weighing heavily on his bones. He was feeling his years more than he wanted to admit these days.

Silently he seated himself next to the man and leaned back with a sigh – glad to be away from the preparations and fluctuations of emotions that went with things like this.

"Won-ka. This is enough. No one asks the impossible of you, so why do you demand it of yourself?" Sherman said finally after long moments of shared silence.

"Nothing is impossible," the Chocolatier said stubbornly, not taking his eyes as a particularly bright arrangement of flowers was arranged in front of the table.

Veronica had loved those particular flowers…

"Let it go," the older man insisted, "You are not doing anyone any good by brooding like this – she won't hold it against you to move onward."

Willy sighed, his eyes closing briefly in a spasm of pain, "If I'd only had enough time…"

Sherman patted the man's back sympathetically, "I know. It's something we all wish for – more time to love, to learn to live…but we have to make do with the time we are given. Do you really wish to waste yours with guilt over something that is beyond your control?"

A group of Oompa Loompa women in traditional dress passed close by the tree and the men were silent. The sniffling and tear-stained faces said more than they ever could.

"Forgive yourself," Sherman urged. "I forgive you and I know she does too. Do not disrespect her today of all days by failing to leave the past behind and face the future."

Willy sighed sadly but nodded, "Alright. I will for now."

"Good. I know she wouldn't want to see you like this," Sherman said, satisfied.

Willy climbed to his feet and brushed the swudge off of the seat of his pants. Glancing at his oldest friend, he commented, "Things are weighing on you as well – I see a few more grey hairs sprouting up."

Sherman shrugged, a half smile on the Shaman's face, "Age and wisdom come together – no one said that gaining either was pretty."

Together they traveled across to where the tribe gathered before the small alter in the center of the factory. Charlie and his family stood to one side and Willy took his place at the front, standing next to Sherman who was conducting the ceremony.

Seeing more tears being shed, Willy had to close his eyes to fight back the wave of guilt that washed over him once again.

This is all my fault.

A warm hand rested on his shoulder, "Stop it!"

Opening his eyes, he glanced over to the woman that stood by his side.

"Sorry. Just wishing…"

Veronica smiled gently at him, "I know – you needed more time. It's too late now, possibly for good. Let the future happen."

She looked beautiful in the simple soft violet dress that clung to her slim frame, her feet were bare and she carried a small bouquet of orchids. The warm copper chestnut of her hair pulled back and decorated with small fragrent flowers and the warm cream colored skin flushed a delicate pink with good humor. Golden freckles were scattered lightly across her arms and shoulders and for a moment he distracted himself with thoughts of counting each one.

Behind her, L.A. drifted through the waiting crowd, dressed in an ankle-length cream colored gown designed by Spencer for the occasion. Her face was serene and a mysterious smile rested upon her lips. The small cluster of traditional herbs was wrapped with a deep purple bow.

At the altar waited Tupik-Ra, dressed as a warrior and carrying a spear waited, love shining from his eyes.

The women of the village wailed softly - they really were sentimental at weddings. A few of the men were mysteriously bright eyed and blew their noses often, avoiding one another's eyes.

"All who come before us are welcome! We come together to bind this man and woman together – in the eyes of the Gods, of the tribe and the outside world which they of all of us straddle…" Sherman pronounced his voice deep and resonating.

Willy sighed again. He'd been working so hard since getting back to get those two restored back to their normal dimensions. Seeing them together had inspired him to greater efforts. Now it was too late.

He watched L.A. hand her herbs to Veronica as maid of honor, revealing the small bump in her stomach that currently housed the newest member of the tribe.

No way was he going to fool around with precious new life. It was a gamble already to see what size the child would even be without playing God in the meantime. He didn't dare risk the testing process on either of them when they were so happy where they were.

Tupik-Ra and L.A. hadn't wanted to waste any more of their life with regret and so they decided to stop him from pursuing the matter further.

But still the guilt lingered.

Veronica caught his eye and looked mildly exasperated at his lingering mood.

He grinned at her – thrilled at the secret way she could read his mood correctly and tell him off without ever saying a word.

He'd almost lost her again.

Without meaning to, his eyes grew distant and his smile faded as he recalled the horrible events of the competition.

She was tight in his arms and they had been braced for the terrible pain and numbness when they'd heard the gunshot.

Flinching, they'd clung tighter as if a simple physical embrace would ward off deadly lead and steel.

To both their astonishment, it had been Victor that crumpled to the ground – mad eyes wide and accusing, even as his lips moved soundlessly.

The police had kicked the gun out of his hand, even as the last breath of life wheezed from Victor's throat with the thin trickle of blood where the bullet had taken him through the heart.

Disbelieving – Willy and Veronica had stared at each other in relief and pure joy before throwing themselves into a passionate kiss that left onlookers with little doubt into their true relationship even as tears of shock and fear trickled down both their cheeks.

It had been the best ratings Food Network had ever gotten.

The competition had made the evening news and if the media attention was intense before, it was nothing compared to what it was now. Willy was mildly amused at the Willy Wonka Fan Clubs that had sprung up - not so much at the Veronica Carmichael groupies that popped up as well.

It was only after the full scope of the investigation of the event that Victor's involvment in the pipe bomb that nearly killed him and Charlie came to light. Only his death prevented prosecution and Willy was satisfied with that even as they both had the occasional nightmare over the incident.

Veronica had divided Victor's assets among the fired workers - giving over management of the various branches of Dolce La Vita to her competition team, much to their satisfaction and her relief.

He jerked himself out of his memories just as Sherman gestured toward him to step forward and present the couple with his binding present – a ceremonial bag of cocoa beans and the flower of a rare orchid which only grew in the heart of the Loompaland Forest.

Veronica smiled at him as he took his place by her side, taking his bare hand into his own.

Her beauty took his breath away and the warmth of her smile chased the lingering shadows from his eyes. The sparkle in her hazel eyes was the fulfillment of one of his fondest wishes - to see her truly happy, healthy, satisfied and most importantly loving him.

The radiant smiles of Tupik-Ra and L.A. as they looked at each other eased his lingering guilt as did the absent way the Oompa Loompa woman caressed the growing lump at her belly. It was after all, the highest portent of a good fruitful marriage for the tribe to go into marriage already expecting a child.

Squeezing Veronica's hand, he let himself smile honestly. After all he had the woman of his dreams on one side, his heir Charlie on the other and the entire Oompa Loompa nation supporting them whatever came next.

Who knows what comes next?

Whatever it was…he was ready.

FIN