Finally the day arrived. After much arguing with the city and the school, Rachel Carr was allowed to leave for the factory. Her meager possessions were neatly packed while the furniture was pawned off.

"You ready?"

Nodding happily, Rachel placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder and the three were off.

"I've got to ask. How did the factory tour go, Willy?" she queried.

"Well... One kid got sucked up a pipe. Another was turned into a giant blueberry. The girl who was named after a wart got sent down the garbage chute. And the T.V. boy was zapped to the size of a chipmunk."

Despite Mr. Wonka's twittering giggle, an overwhelming silence followed his testimonial.

"Sounds like you had a busy day" Rachel spoke up.

"You have no idea" said Charlie.

A tidal wave of sounds and smells bombarded Rachel as she crossed the Factory's threshold. The fragrant aromas of sweet and spice tickled her nose as she was guided down corridor. Willy couldn't help but smile at his friend. Aside from the Bucketts, no one had stood in awe of his creation in months.

"Ready for something too keen for words?" grinned Mr. Wonka.

The young woman nodded eagerly.

With the flare of a bullfighter, the portal to the Chocolate room flew open. Though Rachel could never see the magic inside, the feeling of it filled her to the brim. Her whole being took in the Chocolate room. Her ears, nose and fingers creating an image in her mind from what her eyes could not.

"Its beautiful!" Rachel breathed.

Grinning, Willy plucked a strawberry-flavored butterscotch rose from one of the many candy trees. It's savory scent filling Rachel's nose. Carefully she fingered the blossom's delicate petals.

"Oh Willy, that smells good enough to eat."

"You can, you know" he said. "Everything here is edible."

At first, Rachel was reluctant to eat such a beautiful piece of confectionary art. But after some gentle persuasion from Charlie, she allowed herself to nibble on the stem. The taste danced delightfully on her tongue.

Once finished with her candy rose, Charlie lead Rachel around the chocolate room so she could sample more of Willy's creations.

The chocolateer watched with an knowing smile. His factory seemed all the more vibrant now that Rachel was there.

"Found something you like?"

Mr. Wonka discovered Rachel and Charlie by the bob-bon vines.

"I cant get enough of these chocolate truffle things" she gasped. "And what are those spiral flowers?"

"Cream anemones" supplied Charlie.

"Well they're absolutely divine!"

As Rachel dabbed away a spot of nougat from her cheek, Mrs. Buckett's voice chimed from across the Chocolate River.

"Come on, boys" she called. "I got lunch on."

"Oh good! Now you can meet the Buckett's" cheered Willy.

It was an effort to keep the apprehension from showing itself in Rachel's voice. How would she be received in her present condition?

"Buckett's of various ages, meet Rachel!

The silence enveloped Rachel like a constricting boa. She felt herself drawing the small bump in her stomach inward. How many times had she been introduced to someone and greeted with the same icy reception. Suddenly the feeling of arms wrapped around Rachel's shoulders. A homey woman-like smell found its way to her nose.

"Welcome to our home" Mrs. Buckett soothed, hugging Rachel tighter. "Here, come meet everybody."

Her hand on her shoulder, the Buckett matriarch lead Rachel around the tiny house. With a shy hand shake, she presented herself to each member of the family.

"I love the color blue" Grandma Georgina giggled.

"That's her way of sayin' she likes you" offered Grandpa George.

Rachel fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes. For the first time in weeks, there was no need to worry. She would not be alone any longer. Rachel had been welcome with open arms into security and warmth.

"Thank you so much for letting me stay here" she sniffled. "I promise to help out in any way I can."