Happy Easter, here's an update and hoping for you all to feel blessed no matter what hard things come up in life. LitheBunnyQ thanks for the fave! Hey, Badluckcat! A shout out back at you for your kind words to me in an update of yours! You're a great writer and illustrator! I wouldn't have such great icons for my fics if it wasn't for you! Edited as of 04/02/13.

(The Lorax and The Once-ler do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination's. Same goes for his family shown in the film. Marie and those cute baby girls are mine!)

Chapter 25

Life in a Factory

"Is this really necessary?" asked Marie. She adjusted the blindfold of a black tie Once-ler had recently gotten.

"I really want you to be surprised," said Once-ler. He guided Melvin over the valley to their honeymoon destination.

Marie sat still with her hands folded in her lap as she waited for their arrival. After an intimate night, it was very early in the morning and neither of them could sleep. Especially after a discussion from Marie about how she thought Once-ler needed something nice to wear for work. The sun wasn't even up yet. Marie could feel the cotton of her yellow sundress against her palms and the scent of butterfly milk as she remained patient.

"Whoa!" called Once-ler to halt Melvin. Marie twisted to where she heard Once-ler's voice. "We're here Baby."

Once-ler lifted Marie down and let her stay still while he moved their belongings into their residence. Marie tapped a foot against the ground to feel where she was. She heard her footstep muddled and felt certain it was grass below her. Then she felt lifted again, not in the honeymoon lift, but more like straightly lifted. Marie didn't panic knowing it was Once-ler and tightened her legs around his waist. She could even smell his clean scent of cotton with her temporarily heightened senses of being blindfolded.

"Now can I see?" Marie almost begged as she held her arms around his neck.

"Yeah," said Once-ler excitedly. "I think you'll love it." He let her stand on a wooden floor.

Nimbly his fingers undid the tie around Marie's eyes and she blinked in surprise. She gasped and slowly a hand went to her mouth.

"Once-ler…" Marie breathed. "Is this?-"

"Yup," he said hugging her from behind.

Marie found herself inside their old cottage. It was furnished again with the small bed in the same corner and windows drawn open. She leaned far back into Once-ler feeling she could crumple up.

"Once-ler I don't know what to say," said Marie who was overwhelmed to see their old home.

"Are you happy?" said Once-ler sweetly as he hugged her from behind.

"Yes," whispered Marie and nodded. "Thanks for doing this." Quickly, she twisted around to her lover and gave him a strong kiss to start off the very early morning.

Once-ler could've taken Marie to an elegant suite or exotic island for their second honeymoon, but he knew very well that Marie missed the cottage once in a while. She cherished it and she wasn't a woman who demanded for diamonds or pearls. Simple things made her happy.

The river wasn't dangerous in the one area Once-ler had taken Marie. The secluded area they had spent their last anniversary together had been their escape for the next two days. The factory was closed until then for updated repairs as Once-ler put it. Until they went home he and Marie were alone and it felt odd to not be around two toddlers for that time. They were used to the noise of giggling and squealing from Natalie and Chloe. To not hear them for two days felt foreign. Not to mention, the nursery was there and empty and Once-ler actually found himself going there first in the morning thinking they were in a playpen asleep.

However, the changes were mostly forgotten and on the first night there Marie had gotten Once-ler into a water fight with what was supposed to be a moonlit walk. It only led on to a peaceful swim. By the time stars had peeked out of the navy blue sky Marie and her beloved were in their underclothes and enjoying the coolness.

"I wouldn't want to honeymoon anywhere else," said Marie softly when she had cornered Once-ler against one of the glistening rocks near the bank.

"That's what I thought," said Once-ler and pulled her closer to him. "It looks like everything's working out for us."

After three years together, it seemed like everything was perfect; perfect career, perfect home out of a factory and perfect family. Even if they sometimes got on each other's nerves it was still better than Once-ler could imagine.

Marie smiled at Once-ler's comment about their lives and pecked his lips. Once-ler pressed Marie closer and kissed her tenderly back. Then slowly, his hands moved to her hair and he rubbed his fingertips into the scalp covered in blonde curls as if it had shampoo suds in it.

While the affections continued for the following days Isabella was not happy. She didn't like reliving her motherhood with twin toddlers. Thankfully, Brett, Ubb and Chet made it better for their nieces. Natalie and Chloe were usually easy to please and could entertain themselves either together or alone. They were at the age of having conversations, even if they sometimes sounded like nonsense to adult ears. The only real difficulty had been calming Chloe down over her missing of her parents and Natalie's sudden temper over how she didn't want porridge for breakfast the first morning. Of course, she wanted pancakes and even grumbled over having ones with chocolate chip because she preferred plain.

Brett and Chet were still cautious with their nieces, rarely roughhousing and coloring pictures with them. They were very unwilling about playing house or tea party and sometimes grouched over it when Natalie made them wear the huge bead necklaces or floppy, flowered hats. They still didn't understand why the girls got upset if they took a piece of food from them when they thought they were done eating.

Ubb spent most of his time trying to cook meals, but only got little critiques from Chloe. She would say the pancakes were soupy in the middle, the grilled cheese sandwiches were too burnt or the macaroni wasn't cheesy enough.

"Someone's going to be cooking for us all someday," thought Ubb as Chloe politely gave her reviews.

Isabella did her best to avoid them. She looked at both girls with a nasty feeling most of the time. It wasn't because they were Marie's babies. She didn't like Marie, but she wasn't the issue.

It was him.

Isabella harbored a jealousy to her youngest son because he had what she had wanted. Isabella never forgot the fact that she had never wanted a third baby, but did accept that a girl would be nice. She had hoped for a girl so badly. At twenty-one years of age, with Brett and Chet almost three, Isabella had grown tired of two sons. A girl would've been a breath of fresh air, but no! It was his fault! Will. It was Will, her ex-husband's fault they had another boy! According to science, it was his fault! His chromosomes that gave a third boy and not a girl! When Isabella had heard from Once-ler that she had two granddaughters, she was furious!

"Why should Oncie have two darling girls and I get none?" she would think darkly. "I bet he didn't even want kids until Marie announced she had a bun in the oven. Or more like two buns! Two biscuits!"

It sickened Isabella that Once-ler had gotten what she wanted and more. He had two! She would've been ecstatic with one! Even more sickening, the twins having appearances like him made her see clearly what a daughter for her could've looked like. Isabella's lack of love to Once-ler over his silly mind (which he had certainly inherited from his father) wasn't a huge issue now that he was becoming rich. She didn't care about how folly she once thought the Thneed was and had him convinced her insults had been mere motivation. Her issue now was something she had to live with; a mirror of what she might've had. She didn't forget the feeling when the lovebirds came home and were smothered with hugs. She would never let go of the feeling, even if it killed her!

A few weeks later, Marie found herself alone in the late evening. The skies became dark and stars alit among the outline of the valley. Once-ler had to run an errand in the afternoon and said he'd tell her what it was later. For the moment, Marie carried on with her work. She headed into the office to leave a folder of orders for Once-ler. Part of her hoped he was there because it seemed out of place to be a secretary and not have her boss around. With a sigh, she put the folder down on the desk for him. She wondered what secret he had been planning. She stretched her arms and her high heels clicked as she slowly walked out. She was definitely ready for bed.

Marie slipped out the two doors and went towards her desk. She took the factory keys and prepared herself for locking up. She clicked a light off which dimmed the hallway. She was pretty much the only one in the factory to her knowledge. After locking up the necessary rooms Marie slipped past the sliding door, clicking the special lock on it. She went upstairs to give her sleeping girls a kiss. Once-ler said he'd put them to bed earlier that morning. All Marie had to do was go to bed herself.

When she got into her room, Marie loosened her hair and a button on her blouse while she started slipping off her shoes. She suddenly became aware that she wasn't alone in the room when she heard the soft sound of a breathe exhale, almost excited. Marie turned and saw Once-ler in the dim light. Her eyes and mouth widened in surprise.

The reason was because Once-ler seemed different. It was a good different as he sat on the loveseat, feet perched on the coffee table in a new pair of boots. His long legs followed in dark pinstriped pants with a white dress shirt tucked in, complete with a green and black tie. Connected together by two gold buttons was a green coat, long enough that if Once-ler had been standing it would've gone past the back of his knees. A little clover was tucked in the lapel and neatly placed over the soft mop of hair was a stovepipe hat, matching its owners hair color with a green ribbon. Once-ler had his arms crossed and looked at Marie, who was feeling excitement in her, with a seductive smirk.

"Like it?" chuckled Once-ler feeling amused as he watched Marie's reaction.

"I don't know who you are," said Marie holding back a laugh and swaying towards him. "But I think you should leave before my husband shows up."

When she was close enough, Once-ler yanked her down to him so that she was straddled over him. Marie was almost nervous to touch him with how amazing he looked, but her hands began to roam over the cotton and silk. Finally! After months of encouraging him he finally got a business suit of some sort!

"I don't think your husband will mind if I kissed you," said Once-ler flirtatiously.

"No he wouldn't," said Marie as she tilted the hat back. Before she knew it she was tangled into passionate kisses.

"I've caved in again to your ideas," said Once-ler when they departed. He was referencing to how Marie had convinced him to change his hairstyle seven years before.

"They turn out pretty good don't they?" chuckled Marie. She was twisted over so she partially lay among the cushions.

"Usually," he agreed. "You're married to a rich man."

"I don't care if you're rich or poor," said Marie. "I just think you deserve something nice like this." She brushed a finger over the high collar of the expensive shirt. "You know though, I think you still look handsome without the hat." She fully lifted it off.

"Hey don't bash my signature look," kidded Once-ler with his arms tight around her. He listened to her laugh and grinning himself led her into another moment of smooching.

It was a good life. A life in a factory wouldn't sound terrific, but it was. When it was closed and Once-ler looked over his machines, Natalie and Chloe liked coming with him. To Natalie especially, it was like a museum to wonder over. Already wheels and gears fascinated her. When it was morning, mid-afternoon and night they were all together. All content and little things that children usually feared like monsters under the bed did not matter. That was because Once-ler said monsters were scared of Thneeds and they wouldn't come to the place that made them!

Isabella in the meantime thought the axe swinging was taking too long and was getting hard on the workers. Though pretty much all of them who did the hacking were men, capable of being weight lifters or true lumberjacks, Isabella thought they needed something stronger. She knew Once-ler would listen to her. She eventually got him to cut down the trees didn't she?

"Oncie will listen to me when it comes to business stuff," she thought.

It was dusk when she tried calling him about it from her condo one night, but he didn't answer. It was almost 8:30 so she figured he wouldn't be asleep. What young person in their early twenties went to bed early? She only got more frustrated with calling and muttered about how stupid Once-ler was for ignoring her.

So after several more tries, Isabella got impatient and decided to personally speak with him. She got in her burgundy Convertible and drove down to the factory as the moon gleamed. Using her copy of the secret house key and factory, Isabella let herself in. She checked the rooms she could find on the first floor and then trekked upstairs. When she opened the first door she wrinkled her nose in irritation.

Huddled up in the master bedroom was the four. Once-ler and Marie were cuddled up with Natalie and Chloe. Natalie was on Once-ler's chest and Chloe against Marie's front. Marie and Once-ler's heads nestled against the others, dark and light hair meshing. Then suddenly, Edwin jumped on the bed, turned in circles and settled in the curve of Marie's tucked up legs. A thick journal which held the fairy tale the young couple had written was closed up and near Once-ler's side.

Isabella sighed in annoyance and left, closing the door. She'd be back in the morning and grudging deep down over her desire. She only hoped that Will would never show up in her life again and her Oncie would only live to please her.

When Isabella came back the next day it was after her lunch. The sound of gears and creaking could be faintly heard and the delivery trucks vroomed from their loading stations. Marie was in the grand hallway and answering a phone.

"Thneeds Inc. headquarters," she answered politely. "Mr. Once-ler's secretary speaking. May I help you?"

Isabella passed by and opened the two red doors, simple doors without signs, and walked in. Once-ler was sitting in his desk chair writing out a paper.

"You have an appointment Mom?" he kidded when he looked up at her.

"Mothers don't need appointments," Once-ler's mother said coolly. "Now, I have to talk with you."

"What about?" Once-ler asked sitting upright.

"It's about the trees," said Isabella as she leaned casually against the (pathetic) desk. "Using axes takes too long."

"Too long?" Once-ler looked confused. "I thought it was going great."

"It was great at first," said Isabella cradling her cheek in gloominess. "But the demand is getting higher and we need to move faster. Chopping one tree at a time is much too slow."

"Faster?" Once-ler sounded unsure like when she first brought up the tree chopping.

"Mmhmm," Isabella nodded her head. "Besides, it would be more helpful for the workers! You have drawing skills Oncie, why don't you build something to make the chopping faster?"

"I don't know Mom," sighed Once-ler and crossed his arms. He still felt a tiny twinge of guilt about breaking his promise to The Lorax.

"You know you have to do what's best for your mama and the company," said Isabella. "And also for-"

"Mom," began Once-ler. He looked like he was ready to retort, but he inhaled after a pause. "I'll draw up some ideas."

He was defeated. A biggering company meant well for everyone and that meant a pair of toddlers too… Later, in the evening Once-ler had made illustrations of hackers, big and small. Isabella came back in with a spring in her step and a grin on her face. Her eyes had awe, but hidden deeply was greed as she gazed at his work.

"You make me so proud of you!" cried Isabella as she squeezed her son tightly. She clasped her hands under her chin as she stared at the blueprints and ignored her son recovering from her sudden hug attack.

"They're just rough sketches," said Once-ler. He began to chew at the end of his index finger as he looked with her.

"But the sooner they're made the better Oncie," exclaimed Isabella. Then she frowned in disgust! "You still do that?" She lifted his hand from his mouth. "Look at your hand! It's a mess! No president of a huge company has hands like these!"

Once-ler frowned at her remark. All the years of knitting and playing guitar without a pick had done it and he wasn't embarrassed. Marie loved the feeling anyway when his touch slowly went over her skin.

"Maybe get yourself some gloves Oncie," said Isabella. "That men's shop has some fashionable ones! And tell your people to make those machines pronto!"

"Just let me look over them one more time Mom," said Once-ler as he drew his hand away.

In reality, he felt mentally blurry about machinery for the work and wanted Marie's advice when she saw the pictures. At that moment, Marie had entered with some papers for him.

"Marie, isn't wonderful?" said Isabella giving her daughter-in-law a hug.

"What is?" Marie asked.

"A new invention," said Once-ler smiling upon seeing his lady.

"Now don't forget what I told you," said Isabella kissing her son's cheek. Then strutting proudly (at her success at wooing him further in) she left.

"Well she was jolly," said Marie. "What invention Once? A new Thneed?"

"Something else," he said as Marie put the papers down.

Once-ler sat back and kept the tip of the pencil near his lips like usual after looking over his work. Marie leaned over his shoulder to see the blueprint of multiple machines in different designs. Some were rounded with what looked like buzz saws coming out and some were stout with only one axe bit. As much as Marie was proud of Once-ler's talent, she was surprised to see something so mechanical come from his hands. The mechanical things looked strange and almost disturbing.

"What are these?" she asked.

"Axe machines," said Once-ler. "Mom says the work is too slow."

"Really?" said Marie after looking hard enough at the drawings. She hugged Once-ler around his neck.

"Mom knows best right?" said Once-ler chuckling, but something in his voice sounded concerned.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Marie. "Were you ever planning on probably building something like that?"

"I don't know," said Once-ler hesitantly after a pause. "I really don't know."

"You don't have to build them if you don't feel good about it," said Marie gently.

"And if I don't?"

"Well, you keep on with the traditional chopping."

"But it's slow!" Once-ler stifled back a yawn.

"Sometimes slow is good Once-ler."

"Not in this job. Right Honeysuckle?" Once-ler turned to find Marie right at his face, cheekbone to his.

Marie was quiet. She knew very well that businesses grew; it was not surprising to her. Yet, she knew Once-ler needed to be careful with how much it grew. The blueprints though made her feel concerned with what Isabella had been feeding to her baby boy. Marie didn't want to make Once-ler feel dependent on her about his business options, so she felt confident that he could do it without her family's experiences.

"Why don't you sleep on it for tonight?" she suggested after thinking. "You can decide in the morning, on your own, without your mom's influence." She kissed his jaw. "Trust your instincts on this, okay?" Things could be worse besides simple cutting of lumber she figured.

Once-ler answered by dropping his pencil. Then he stretched his arms and soon led Marie to their personal quarters with a sleepy smile. He would sleep well after the long session of drawing, but when dawn broke he processed his thoughts again.

Once-ler sat back in one of the kitchen chairs and poked at the empty plate before him. It was too early for him to be up, but he was trying to adjust to the life of a C.E.O. He was sure he'd have to be an earlier riser and leave Marie alone to rest for the next couple of hours. After having some poached eggs, something different instead of pancakes, he debated to himself. His chain of thought was interrupted when he heard the sound of something clinging.

Once-ler looked from his plate to see Chloe on her stepstool trying to reach the glass cookie jar. Her nightgown swayed with her movements as she tried to reach an early breakfast. She didn't seem to notice Once-ler and stole over to her stool which was for her to help with cooking. She still didn't notice him when he sneaked up behind, hands behind his back and leaned his head to hers.

"What are you doing?" whispered Once-ler playfully.

Chloe startled and turned with a face as innocent and wide-eyed as Pipsqueak's. Once-ler laughed and lifted her up.

"You cookie robber," he chuckled. Not upset though, he took her to the pantry and gave her a Truffula Fruit scone. That was something Marie wouldn't mind giving her.

While Chloe sat in his lap and nibbled at her snack, Once-ler's thoughts returned of the possible future of Thneed. Faster usually meant good things and if so, it had to mean well for his company. It hadn't hurt anyone yet with the usual cutting, so why would it hurt more? Nothing bad had happened from the axes. No superstitious natural disasters or such had brewed. Then another thought came to mind as he held Chloe and it only solidified the possibility.

Once-ler…had not had the best childhood when he considered it. Marie had been one of the few bright spots of it. He had the rare chance to make things better and had the tools (mainly money) to allow it. He could give Natalie and Chloe everything a little girl could want. All the dolls, dresses, hair ribbons, playhouses and a pony if they wanted! Once-ler wouldn't deprive them of the splendor millionaires' children (if they had any) could receive. He'd be the best dad in the world. At least, they had one compared to him.

"I could buy you a whole zoo," said Once-ler to his youngest and he didn't care what The Lorax would think of him.

He wasn't bad! He was the good guy and The Lorax just didn't understand. After all that hard work he endured, why should Mustache rain on his parade? Chloe, Marie and Natalie didn't think he was bad.

"I'll get you one," said Once-ler when Chloe finally looked up at him.

"What?" she asked. She had missed his comment of buying her a zoo and Once-ler only laughed before he carried her back to bed.

It was almost a month later that The Lorax looked in horror as Super-Axe-Hackers, a rolling machine with four axes sticking out and spinning so that they brought down more than one tree in one smack, came rumbling into the forest. Not only a day after they were first put to work, money poured in and Once-ler knew it wouldn't be long before his little babies would have the highest education, lessons of their choice and prettiest objects.

As the Super-Axe-Hackers steamed on and over the valley, Once-ler looked out the vast windows of his office. The trees were still standing and none had been cut from the view he stood at. Most were chopped farther out. He smiled and thought confidently about his choice. Every step in progress in Thneeds Inc. brought his family and he higher and higher in a well bought and earned happiness.

"Bad," he said sarcastically to himself. "Right." Then he turned back to his work and checked his itinerary for a future appointment for an accessory.