But the question was, when? For Willy, the next several hours turned out to be some of the longest he'd ever experienced. By the end of the 2:00 hour, he couldn't take anymore. When the last of the inner crowd paid their respects, he shut the gates in order to keep more outsiders from coming in. Afterwards, he slowly reached out and picked up his father's urn. Holding it against his chest, he and the Bucket Family headed for the chocolate room.

Silently standing in the background, the group watched as Willy made his way up to his father's monument. It was simple, yet elegant. Made to the likeness of Wilbur's personality. On the door hung his picture, and a vase of red gladiolas. Which happened to be his favorite.
As Willy slowly shut the door to his fathers urn, he also closed the door to a lifetime of memories good and bad that he could never get back. This had his hand slowly reaching up, until he'd removed the goggles from his eyes. Thereafter he slowly pulled off his hat, and set it to the side. It was there for the first time, that the family truly saw the depth of pain on Willy's face. "Well. . . I guess what's done is done." he repeated, the same way his dad had the night before. "I-I hope you like being here, dad. I know it could never make up for all the years we were separated. But at least now. . .we'll never be apart. " He muttered in a high, cracked voice.

Now after two long days of keeping his composer, Willy could feel the torrents of grief slowly emerge. This instinctively caused him to turn away from everyone, as though ashamed to reveal what was coming. But just as quickly Mrs. Bucket reached out, until her hand had gripped his arm in a feeble attempt to stop him. "Willy. Don't go." she called out, as he tearfully looked at her out the corner of his eye. Head sinking low, he didn't have the strength to fight it anymore. Tightly closing his eyes he trembled then broke down and began to cry. At the same time, he could feel himself being embraced by Mrs. Bucket, and Charlie, who tightly hugged at his waist. Overwhelmed beyond measure, Willy found himself holding onto them like he'd never done before. "Shh, now. It's alright. . ." Mrs. Bucket tearfully whispered.

"No. . .It's not. . ." Willy wept out in despair. "He finally accepted me. And just when I was used to having him in my life again, he's gone forever. . ."

"But not completely. . ." she gently interrupted. "He'll always be in your heart, and in this factory. You know how proud he was of you. . ."
"I-I know but. . .you were right. I've been so devoted to my work that it's turned me into an introverted recluse, with no family of my own. And now that he's gone, I really am alone. . ."

"No, you're not. . ." Mr. Bucket gently corrected. "Family doesn't have to be blood, ya know. You have us now. And we'll always be here for you, Willy. No matter what. . ."
"He's right. . ." Mrs. Bucket replied, as Willy tearfully looked at her. "Even if you had never givin Charlie this factory, it wouldn't matter. We've gotten to see the personal side of you, that no one else has the privilege of knowing. You're a very sweet and kindhearted person, who we've come to love so much. . ."

Touched beyond measure, Willy managed to smile through the tears.
"Oh, gosh. . ." he choked out, besieged by her sweet words. "I-I love you guys too."

Tightly his eyes closed as they embraced him again. In spite of all the pain he was going through, Willie had never felt such love and support in his entire life.

It turned out that for the rest of the day he remained at their house, not wanting to be alone for one second. Yet as Willy sat back on their little couch, the 48hrs of insomnia caught up with him, leaving him drained, and utterly exhausted. As the Buckets silently watched TV, Willy could feel his eyelids growing heavier and heavier, until finally he couldn't bear it any longer.

Noticing how quiet Willy had become, Charlie turned to find that he'd fallen into a deep sleep. Smiling, he gave his mother a gentle nudge.
"Look, mom. . ." Moved over how peaceful Willy looked, she sighed slowly shook her head.
"It's about time he settles down. . ." At the same time Charlie whispered,

"You think we oughta wake him up?"
"No. . ." Mrs. Bucket whispered, as she grabbed a blanket off the bed. Now as gently as possible, she draped it over him. Then reached out and turned off the lamp. "Just let him be. Lord knows he needs the rest. . ."

Although they intended on leaving him there, Willy still woke up in the middle of the night, and left without disturbing the family.
By midmorning he'd returned, just as they were finishing breakfast.

Dressed in his normal spiffy outfit, he replied, "Good morning, family. . ."

Pleased that Willy acknowledged them as family, Mr. Bucket smiled. "Good morning, Willy. . .And how are you feeling?"
Cracking a smile, he shrugged his shoulders. "Better. . .I guess. . ." he replied, now taking off his hat. "Hey, look umm. . .I wanted to thank you guys for sticking it out with me, even when I wanted to go off on my own." He shyly replied, as Mrs. Bucket gave him a gentle smile. "I guess I've been alone so much. . .that. . .I'm used to taking care of myself." Now he watched as Grandma Josephine's hand slowly reached out, until it was gently gripping his.
"But you aren't alone anymore, Willy. And you never will be again. . ."

Touched by the reality of her sweet words, Willy nodded with appreciation. "Yeah. . ." he whispered, once again feeling the tears trying to surface. Determined to stay focused, he roughly cleared his throat. "Anyway. . ." he stressed, as the others grinned through the emotion. "I've just come back from my dad's place."

"It wasn't too soon for you?" Mrs. Bucket asked.

Giving her a timid shrug, Willy nodded, "Kinda. . .But I had to." he replied, now sitting with them at the table. "There was one thing that I needed to grab before someone else did. A tin box that he kept all his savings in. . ."

"Really?" Mr. Bucket asked rather intrigued. "Wouldn't a bank have been more sufficient?"
"Yeah. But my dad didn't believe in other people holding his money. So he took the box and put it in a safe inside his office. He never did give me the combination. . .probably cause I was too young. And when I walked out that day. . .I thought it was over. But apparently. . .I was wrong, cause not only did he leave me the combination in the Will but. . .he made me the beneficiary of all his possessions, including the money that was in the box. Which by the way. . .he could've retired on, if he wanted too. . ."

Very happy for him, Mrs. Bucket exclaimed, "Well that's wonderful, Willy. . ."

Shaking his head Willy let out a chuckle.
"Yeah. . .but come on. . .Do I look like I need it?" he playfully asked. "I mean, seriously. With all the success in my life. . .it's not like-"

"You're broke. . ." Mr. Bucket injected.

"Right. . .And apparently he knew I wouldn't be either. Because he left a clause stating that if I didn't need it, to donate it to a worthy cause." Now he looked at Charlie, then to the Buckets with deep sincerity. "So. . .I've decided to do just that and put it away. . .for Charlie's college fund." Right away gasps were heard throughout the room. Looking at Mrs. Bucket, Willy gave her a nod of respect. "You were right, you know. Charlie's education should be top priority. It was for me." Looking toward Charlie, Willy replied, "I know you still have a long way to go before you get there, but. . .at least you won't have to struggle, and worry the way I did. Now you're covered. . ." .

Before he could say anything more, Charlie threw his arms around his neck, giving him a tight squeeze. "Thank you, Willy. . ." he replied with gratitude.
Giving him a gentle pat, Willy could feel himself getting emotional once again. Trying to contain it, he cleared his throat.

"You're welcome, kiddo . ." he whispered in a cracked voice. Thereafter he looked up at the rest of the family, mainly Mr. Bucket whom he deeply respected. Not wanting to step on his toes, Willy replied, "I hope you don't mind me doing this. . ."

Appreciative that he would ask, he slowly shook his head. "Not at all. But. . .are you sure this is what you want?" Letting Charlie go, Willy looked Mr. Bucket dead in the eyes.
"Absolutely. Besides, Dad really liked Charlie. So I know he would've wanted it this way. . ."

The End