Boats And Babies

Boats and Babies

"My Little Cocoa Bean" Series

Summary: The Wonka family takes a trip to the beach.

"You...what?!" you asked incredulously.

"I bought a boat!" Willy repeated gleefully. You stood in the kitchen frozen, mouth agape trying to process the information. He let you stand there a few awkward moments before he finally added with a snicker, "Just for the weekend."

"Don't you DO that to me, Willy Wonka!" You bopped him on the arm with the wooden spoon in your hand with your exaggeration of "do." He laughed and feigned hurt from your retaliation. "So you RENTED a boat. And what are you going to do with a boat, pray tell?"

"WE are going on an outing this weekend. Just the three of us. As much as I love the world of our own that we have carved out on land, I do sometimes miss the sea," his voice trailed off.

You loved the idea of getting out of town for a bit, enough to forgive his earlier prank. You and Willy hadn't taken a trip since Ben was born. The boy was finally big enough to handle some adventure and had been obsessed with boats as of late.

You spent the rest of the week gathering up what you would need for some fun in the sun with a toddler in tow. Willy mapped out a route to a beach far enough away for a fun boat ride but close enough not to require an overnight stay.

The day finally came to pack up the boat and launch. Ben clapped as the family walked to the docks. One of his favorite things to do lately was to look at the boats. You and Willy had kept your plans quiet from the boy.

"I have a surprise for you, Bean," Willy said as he knelt down to the boy's level. "How would you like to actually go for a ride on a boat?"

Ben looked up at you both with eyes as big as saucers. "Really?!" he shouted.

"Really!" Willy responded with equal excitement. You all walked a little further down the dock. "Here she is." He stepped down into the boat, then turned and gestured for Ben to come closer. Suddenly nervous, the boy attached himself to your leg.

Willy patiently held out his arms. "It's alright, Bean. I've got you." Timidly, Ben stepped closer and reached out to his father, who deftly scooped him up and set him down in the boat. Ben clung to Willy's shirt as the boat rocked. "Don't worry, son. You'll get your sea legs eventually. Now, let's get this lifejacket on you so I can help Mamma get our things into the boat."

Once he got the boy settled, Willy grabbed and stowed the bags, then offered you his hand. It had been a while since your last boat ride, so you felt a little shaky, too. You lost your balance slightly and fell back into Willy, who caught you by the elbows. "Well, hello there." He grinned down at you and waggled his eyebrows. More than six years together, and he was still a flirt.

As expected from a lifetime on the water, Willy was a natural at prepping and launching the boat. Soon, you were out on open water. Ben relaxed and took in the sights, though he kept a tight grip on your hand. You enjoyed the feeling of the wind in your hair, and when you closed your eyes, you felt like you were flying. You looked back at Willy with a huge smile and found him staring back at you with a content, dreamy smirk.

After an hour or so on the water, the beach appeared on the horizon. As you got closer, Willy jumped over the side to pull the boat to shore and help you both out. Restless from sitting, Ben immediately started running around, picking up shells. Willy cautioned him to stay out of the water until everything was unpacked.

You and Willy got everything set up quickly, complete with blanket for lounging and umbrella for shade. Once set, Willy ran after Ben, grabbed him from behind, and spun him around. The boy shrieked with glee as you all made your way to the water's edge.

Nothing prepared your heart for the sight of Willy wading in the shallows, pants rolled up and holding Ben's chubby little hand. They pointed and chattered about the little creatures in the tide pools as Willy recounted stories of the wide variety of animals he had seen on his voyages. Ben ran back and forth between Willy and you, bringing you shells and pebbles from his scavenging. When they moved on to build sand castles, you stepped away to prepare lunch.

"Alright, my boys. Time to eat!" you called. Willy grabbed up Ben by the waist and hoisted him onto his shoulders.

"Hi, Mamma," he waved from the towering height of his papa's frame as they got to the picnic blanket where you sat. Willy flipped the boy over before gently setting him down beside you.

"Hi, baby. Ready to eat?"

"Yeah! My tummy growly," he said before growling like a bear.

"Mine, too," Willy agreed, growling back.

The boys eagerly devoured the sandwiches you prepared. Exhausted and full, Ben quickly succumbed to the relaxing sounds of the waves hitting the shore and napped in the shade of the umbrella. Willy laid his head in your lap, and you couldn't help but card your fingers through his chocolate curls.

He looked up at you and smiled. "I love you. I love this," looking over at Ben. "I want more."

"Me, too."

Willy quickly propped himself up on an elbow to stare at you. "Really?!"

"You say that a lot, don't you, Mr. Wonka?"* You winked. "Really. I had already been giving it some thought, but seeing you today with Ben convinced me. For someone who was worried he wouldn't know what to do, you're awfully good at being a father."

"And you are the best mother," he replied as he lifted his hand to your cheek. You leaned into his touch and closed your eyes with a soft sigh.

"I always wanted a big family," he reminisced as he laid his head back down. "But I never thought it would be in the cards for me. Sometimes, when Mamma had to work and it was too quiet with just me on the boat, I wondered what it would be like to have siblings. That dream died with her until I found Noodle. I don't want Bean to ever be lonely like that."

A tear slipped from your cheek to his as you looked down into his greenish blue eyes. He had such a big heart and so much love to share.

Before you could respond, Ben started to stir, and Willy slipped back into dad mode. He rolled off your lap onto his belly to be level with the boy, chin resting on his forearms. Ben blinked the sleep from his eyes and smiled. "Hi, Papa."

"Hi, Bean. Ready for some more adventure? I think it's high time that I teach you how to swim." You watched the two run back to the water's edge, in awe of Willy's near boundless energy. You knew he'd have no trouble keeping up with another little one. Or two.

<><><>

MASTERLIST

*This is an inside joke from when the reader and Willy first met. Read Boxes for more context.

The pain remains

The nightmares should have stopped. He thought they would have. He finally had all he wanted and needed in his life and yet.

He would wake up in a cold sweat and stomach aching so bad he’d vomit upon waking. And occasionally he’d wet the bed too. Only the worst ones would really make him so ill and he’d be up the rest of the night.

Of course he’d take care of himself then try to get back to sleep. It never worked.

He hoped taking time to stay with Noodle and her mother would calm whatever was causing all these weird night terrors.

The first few days he slept like a baby and seemingly had miraculously recovered from his sleep issues.

It wasn’t until the fourth day. The night terrors returned. The shop burning, him getting shoved into the cold fountain, getting hit on the head, almost drowning in chocolate with Noodle, momma dying, getting injured and being alone.

All of it was running in his head and he couldn’t lie still. He was screaming out and thrashing. He was tossing and turning.

Noodle and her mother could hear a horrific loud commotion coming from the bedroom that belonged to Willy when he visited.

Something had seemed off about him. He had seemed more tired than usual. They knew his immune system was out of wack. But it seemed more than that.

They rushed out to the hall.

“What’s going on Noodle?” Her mom asked.

“It must be Willy!” Noodle said worriedly.

Together mother and daughter rushed into Willy’s room and found his blankets in a pile on the floor. Willy was thrashing wildly in bed.

Dorothy turned on the light and Noodle tried to wake him.

Willy finally woke up and proceeded to vomit onto the bed.

“Woah my goodness Willy! Oh” Noodle said softly as she took in his sorry state. He was sweating profusely and it seemed like he had a accident in his sleep too. Willy was shaking and crying.

Noodle carefully helped Willy out of bed.

“Hey what’s going on?” She asked concerned.

Willy couldn’t answer his whole body ached and he felt so sick.

“Noodle bring him to the bathroom and get him into a bath. He’s had a bad night terror. I’ll deal with his bed.” Said her mother.

“Ok.” Noodle said

Willy coughed and gagged

Noodle helped him to the bathroom where he threw up again.

“Oh Willy.” Noodke said

she got the water ready in the tub for him.

Willy groaned in pain.

He looked so tired and Noodle was worried. Her normally happy go lucky friend was now crying and shaking like a leaf.

She set up a bath for him and grabbed him a change of clothes before leaving him alone to take care of himself. She stood outside the bathroom door waiting for him. While her mother changed the bedding on Willys bed.

Once Willy was in a fresh pair of pajamas and the bed was remade Noodle and Dorothy helped Willy back to bed.

Willy groaned and coughed as he was helped into bed.

“Whatever is the matter Willy?” Noodle asked worriedly.

“Noodle the poor man is exhausted and clearly unwell do not speak to him that way!” Scolded her mother.

Willy sighed heavily

“It’s quite alright Dorothy I haven’t been sleeping well and now it’s making me feel terrible.” He said.

“I can see that Willy. Now what’s been going on?” Dorothy asked concerned.

Willy shrugged “I’m not quite sure. All I know is I fall asleep and when I sleep. My brain is making up awful stories and reminding me of what I’ve been through.” Willy said tiredly. He rubbed his face and sighed. “Sleeping has become nearly impossible. I get so sick in the night and then I’m up until morning.” He yawned and got comfortable.

“I’m sorry for waking you both. I thought visiting would calm my mind and fix whatever this is.” He said weakly. He blinked back tears and Noodle and Dorothy embraced him and held him as he began to cry.

Dorothy frowned worriedly

“I’m sorry you’ve been so sick Willy. It’s a good thing you came to stay for a little.” She told him.

Noodle pulled away and crawled into bed beside him. Dorothy held on just for a moment longer as Willy cried. Dorothy then pulled away and grabbed a tissue to wipe away his tears and snot on his face.

“Noodle can stay with you tonight. We can try to figure out what’s going on tomorrow yeah Dorothy asked.

Willy nodded and Noodle snuggled close.

“I’m sorry you’re so upset Willy.” Noodle said

Willy hugged her and sighed. “It’s ok Noodle it’s not your fault.”

“I know but you should have felt better here.” She said

“We’ll figure it out Noodle don’t worry. I’m sure of it.” Dorothy promised she kissed Noodle’s head and ruffled Willy’s hair.

“Sleep well dears.” She said

“Goodnight Mom.” Noodle said as she got comfortable next to Willy and Willy nodded in Dorothy’s direction before laying down snuggling with Noodle and finally falling asleep.

Fluffy headcanon:

Willy singing sea shanties.

That is all.

Another day spent pondering how Star Wars managed to get the ‘lost man gains a child (begrudgingly) but then looking after that child becomes his whole purpose’ trope so SO RIGHT 😭😭😭

But seriously, my heart can’t cope😭😭😭