Inside the s'mores suite, Julia sits at a wooden desk writing in one of her many journals by a marshmallow scented candle. Writing in journals was a hobby of hers. This particular journal was for writing about current thoughts and feelings. It's been a few days since they all moved into the factory. The suite Julia stayed in was perfectly cozy for her, but she was still eager to see what their home would look like after it's built.

Veruca lays belly down atop Julia's bed. Warm against the blanket that looked like a graham cracker. Swinging her bare feet back and forth in the air as she watches the large black flat screen TV mounted on the chocolate coloured wall. She could be in her own suite right now, but the quiet company of Julia was better than being alone.

A knock at the door was almost immediately followed by the famous candy maker walking in from the black and white hallway.

Veruca would've remarked about how he's supposed to wait for someone to permit him to enter, if it wasn't for the way he smiled at her. More importantly, the shiny purple box with a gold ribbon under his arm.

Sitting up, her face alert with interest, her gaze follows Wonka as he approaches her. "Here." He hands her the box. "I thought it'd be nice to give you a housewarming gift. You've surprisingly been a good little girl most of the time since you got here."

Placing the large box on the bed, Veruca pulls at the gold ribbon wrapped around it. Removing the purple cover to peek inside, she squeals and runs backwards. Tripping over her own feet and falling to the ground.

"Veruca!" Julia rushes to help the girl off the ground. Her eyes are wide and her breath is fast and shaky. Veruca stands back against the wall, brushing off her yellow dress with her shaking hands as she tries to slow her breathing. She feels her heart pounding like a drum. Blood rushing thru her body like a raging river.

Crystal blue eyes look to see what had frightened her cousin so badly. Over the edge of the shiny box, two little paws claw at the top. Pulling up two tiny black eyes to spy around the room. A squeak and a hop brought the fluffy-tailed animal into full view.

"Oh..." Julia cooed.

Veruca, still breathing rapidly, flinches when the animal skitters a little closer. Staying as close to the wall as possible, she bolts away to Julia. Crashing into the woman for safety and comfort. Julia holds the shivering child in her arms while Wonka watches in confusion.

"What's wrong? I thought you said you wanted a squirrel. I figured you'd like it since you had to leave all your other pets behind."

"Didn't a load of squirrels attack her when she went on the first tour of the factory? She's terrified of them now."

"Well it's okay because this one's very friendly. The best part is it won't throw her into an incinerator to be burned alive for being a bad nut. So that's a bonus!" He beams.

The squirrel crawls around the room. Sniffing at the new environment. It's black eyes kept looking at Veruca. Sensing that something was wrong with her. It tries to creep closer, but Veruca squealed and kicked at it. The animal squeaked in surprise and backed away.

Laid out inside of the box, below where the squirrel sat, was even more gifts for Veruca. Wonka tipped the box over. Spilling out everything else inside of it. "Look! There's more. You can read this." He hands a large book down to her. The cover showing pictures of the creatures that she feared so badly. "It tells you everything about squirrels. Fun facts, how to look after them, what they eat, how to cook them, stuff like that."

Piled on the bed was everything she needed for her new unwanted companion: A can of mixed nuts and dried berries, a bowl for water, a litter box, a scoop for the litter, and a bag of white litter crystals.

Clutched onto Julia's cerulean dress, Veruca's breathing has calmed down, but her body is still very tense. Julia squeezes her and continues to stroke her arm. "It's alright, Starshine. I'm not gonna let it hurt you."

"Now..." Wonka picks up his cane. Preparing to leave the room. "Once you're done loosing your head over a little animal, do be sure to fill it's water bowl and litter pan. And whatever you do, don't feed it any crayons."

With that, Wonka was back on his way around the factory.

• • •

That night, Veruca said goodnight to Julia and started heading back to the cotton candy suite. Just before the door drifted shut, four little paws sneak their way into the hallway with her.

The corridor of the Sweet Suites was lacking in colour. The carpet was black, the walls were white, and the only colours were on the doors. Each door designed to reflect it's theme, with a metallic plaque to display it's name. The door to the cotton candy suite had fluffy blue clouds of candy floss with a shiny pink plaque. The words 'Cotton Candy' engraved into it.

After Veruca had brushed her teeth with cotton candy flavoured toothpaste and changed into a sky blue nightgown, she was snuggled under pink and blue blankets; sound asleep. Dreaming of dancing in dresses made of gold, she didn't even notice the soft squeaking in her ear. Or the softness of warm fur curling up under her arm.

• • •

A Couple Days Later:

"Who's Aunt Vivian?" Veruca asks her father.

The family was gathered in the parents chocolate suite one morning. Receiving news that a new family member would be joining them on their stay.

"Aunt Vivian is one of Grandpa Henry's sisters." Rupert tells them with his hands in his pockets. "She wrote a letter to Mr. Wonka and said that she'd like to come and stay with us. I must assume that she heard about this from another member of our family. Surely it would be unreasonable not to allow her to visit us. I say this to Mr. Wonka, and he has granted us his permission to allow her inside the factory. For she is but another member of our family who will be staying here to look after Veruca."

Veruca steps to the side, closer to Julia. Away from the squirrel that stood a little too close to her feet. It's been following her around everywhere. She's gotten used to being in the same room as it, but still doesn't let it get too close. She's constantly on edge. Seeing those cute, but terrifying black eyes staring up at her all the time. As if it smells her fear and hears her thoughts and wants to crawl inside her brain.

"Whatever happens, I'll still be here with her." Julia grins down at the curly-haired girl who smiles right back. The squirrel squeaks, like it wanted to second what Julia had said.

• • •

Light grey clouds hang over this boring little town. This whose only highlight is the mysteriously amazing factory that rests among colourless structures around it. It was big. Massive. Much larger than Vivian had imagined. She'd heard strange stories about this place. Stories that say it shut down for many years, then reopened again, each without a warning. About the man who created it being a genius who lives and works inside all on his own. People even say that nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever comes out. But now that doesn't seem so true.

The 90 year-old woman did as she was told in being sure that no one was around when she approached the iron gate. Refusing to find the back entrance like she was asked before. It seemed like too much of a fuss to go all the way around.

She was informed that there were four members of her family in this building. One of which is a child. Though she didn't care to see her family or any children. All she cared for was seeing the inside of the famous factory. More importantly, the enormous amount of wealth and luxury that comes with it.

One of the smaller gates on the side of the stone wall automatically opened after several minutes of standing out in the cold. She walked across the courtyard. Not bothering to hurry in case she would be seen like she was instructed to. Her long, dark red dress blew back in the chilly wind. It was Vivian's belief, that women should always wear a dress, and never cut their hair. Doing otherwise should only be when absolutely necessary. Her dress was thick. Made for winter. Just like the ones that Julia wears when it gets more cold.

Her flat shoes clomped up the steps to the smoking building. The dark grey door opens. Revealing a young woman hiding close behind it. Vivian pulls the door open wider. Marching inside where her unknown family was gathered. Rolling a huge brown suitcase behind her.

Passing thru a short room full of darkness, her younger relatives were just behind a black curtain.

Silence... standing... and staring.

That's all they did for a minute. Each observing the other.

Vivian's long grey hair was tied back into a tight bun on the back of her head. Keeping it all out of her grey eyes. The eyes that glared so coldly at Julia and Veruca.

It was unfair. So very unfair. How is it that Julianna, known for her beauty, can pass on her looks to her great-grandchildren, but not to her own daughter? Why is it that they get eyes of crystal blue, while she gets iron grey? Why does their hair get to be in soft waves and curls, when she always had hair like dirty barn hay? Why do they get to walk into the largest factory of one of the most successful companies in the world, when she had to marry someone she didn't even care for just to have some expensive pearls?

The child skips out in front of her. A youthful glow in her skin that Vivian can't remember. "I'm Veruca Salt. It's nice to finally meet you, miss." She curtsies.

"Veruca?" Her old voice croaks out. "Oh my, what a hideous name."

The young woman wearing a black wrap dress with multicoloured flowers meets her gaze. Radiant smile gone like that of the child before her. "I'm Julia Sugar." She simply stated.

A man around 60 years of age approaches from the back of the small crowd. A blonde woman in pink clothes and white pearls near his side. "Aunt Vivian, it's so lovely to meet you. I'm Rupert Salt, founder and owner of Salts Nuts." He retrieves a business card from inside his grey jacket. Old wrinkled fingers take it from his hand. "I'm sure you've heard of my more recent adjustments in business. Mr. Wonka and I have begun to work together." Vivian glances at the tiny white card in her hand. A smaller yet noticeable Wonka logo under his own. "This is my lovely wife, Angina." He holds the arm of the woman beside him.

Angina gives her greetings to the woman. Every word going in one ear and out the other. Devoting her attention to movement she had spotted on the floor. Crossing over the long red carpet, a curious squirrel came about to squeak a greeting of it's own.

A boney hand smacked against her chest with a strongly beating heart. Gasping, Vivian looks to her relatives in horror. "I was not informed of a rat problem! Is this establishment not meant to be clean!?"

Fear may still have a grip on Veruca's heart, but that didn't change the fact that this so-called "rat" was her one and only pet. "It's a squirrel. My squirrel." Veruca couldn't help the slight sting she felt from her great aunt's rude comment any more than she could help the faint chill she still had when near the furry little thing.

"It's a gentle creature, Aunt Vivian." It felt strange to Julia. Referring to someone whose existence she didn't know about until very recently as 'Aunt'. "All creatures inside this factory are harmless when treated with proper respect."

Sticking her slightly hooked nose in the air, Vivian would not hear the young woman she now must call her niece.

Veruca turns on her heel to lead the group down the shrinking hallway. Eyes fixed straight ahead of her, she felt strong. Powerful. Already walking in the footsteps of one of the greatest, most successful men on this Earth.

Veruca's always been a bit tall for a girl her age. Yet, crouching in front of the tiny doors was hardly necessary for her. Facing her four family members, all gathered round her in the dark corner, she remembers what Mr. Wonka had instructed her to do. Cue cards were printed out for her to keep in a purse or pocket, but Veruca had studied and memorized every word.

"This room is the very heart and soul of the entire Wonka chocolate factory. In here, everything you see is eatable. The beauty of this room was entirely created by The Amazing Chocolatier himself. I ask you to take a moment to calm yourselves and try not to get overexcited." Pausing for dramatic affect, Veruca steps to the side and pushes open the door.

Instantly, a burst of exploding sounds like cannons and a piercing fanfare played on golden trumpets. Trumpets played by identical little men that rang loudly in their ears. Clouds of thick white smoke heavily rained down a glittering shower of rainbow confetti. A man in a black top hat, red coat, and sprinkle-filled cane, spread out his arms like the wings of an eagle. "Welcome to my cho--"

In his enthusiasm, the man had accidentally inhaled a piece of the falling confetti. Violently coughing and gasping to the point of dropping onto his knees, Julia hurried to his side. "Mr Wonka! Are you alright!?"

The others stood and watched uncomfortably as he continued to choke and gag. Coughing up the little flake of green paper at last, he looks up with a teary smile. "...my chocolate factory." He coughs.

Veruca stood with her cheeks growing red in angry embarrassment. Angrier than her, was the widowed woman who stood beside her. "Are you absolutely mad!? What kind of a horrid display was that!?" Vivian couldn't stand loud noises. Worse than that was the anxiety-inducing clouds of smoke. Reminding her of the house fire she escaped from as a child.

Breathing heavily, Wonka used a red cloth to wipe the tears from his eyes. "Now... Onward to the Sweet Suite." Wonka gently places his hand on Julia's back. Guiding the worried woman along with the rest of her family.

Shuffling thru the soft minty grass, Vivian gawks down at the tiny men with trumpets. All staring back at her with distaste.

• • •

Vivian was settled into the bubblegum suite. She would've liked the chocolate or s'mores suite more because they were less colourful. The s'mores suite came with a fireplace for roasting marshmallows, which Vivian would've loved because she hates the cold. She'll complain about even the slightest little chill. (Good thing Wonka didn't put her in the ice cream suite. She'd think she was freezing to death.)

Soon, Wonka begins teaching everyone the ways of the factory. He explains that the oompa loompas don't like or speak English that well, or any other human language for that matter. They understand it, but can have trouble speaking it. So everyone had to learn oompa sign language. Vivian refused to learn it, and the parents couldn't ever catch on to more than a few basic signs. Veruca learned a lot more than her parents did, but still not very much, and Julia learned the most, but still never became fluent.

They were also taught how to salute them. It's not a requirement, but it's more respectful if they do. Vivian again refused to learn this. The parents learned how to do it, but never did it again after learning how to. Veruca learned it too, but she only does it when Wonka's watching. Julia is the only one who tries to remember to do it whenever she can.

Having an army of oompa loompas constantly working day and night had saved everyone a lot of time. Much sooner than anyone could've thought, their home was now built.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Did anyone notice that Julia calls Veruca "starshine"? That's because she thought it was cute when Veruca told her that Wonka said it on the tour. I just wanna make sure that doesn't possibly confuse anyone since we usually only see Wonka say that.

To anyone who asks: I don't necessarily take requests, but i'm open to ideas or suggestions.