Chocolate Heart (Wonka And Noodle) #1

Chapter 12

Her dad? Wow, I really can't even believe I said that, now you filled the girl with illusions, she now completely trusts you just because you didn't know how to keep your mouth shut! I'm sure she suffered a lot throughout her life in this laundry... how will I protect her when we manage to leave? The police will continue to chase me every time I try to sell my chocolate

I can't help it, it's just... impossible... I can't leave her here, she was so alone all this time and... and I really can't believe how I'm putting her at risk of being caught helping me

Her dream is to be sorrounded by books, how can I fulfill that dream? In my factory we will only be sorrounded by chocolates and chocolates, but, of course, I can rethink that detail

Mother... I really wish you were here, I need someone to tell me what I should do now, how to be a good dad to Noodle, I don't know anything about that, I don't even know how to read... she even takes the time to try to teach me...

The days are very difficult now, and I can't help but feel comfortable when I give her a big hug that I wish would last forever, it makes me feel happy... I forget about all the problems, just like... when you hugged me, mother...

Mother... can I really be a dad to Noodle...?

Young Wonka looked at the dark and cold night outside his window, the street lights were dim. The breeze was annoying, coming in through the crack in his window. He was sitting at his desk, working on his chocolates that he would sell the next day, but it was difficult for him to concentrate as his thoughts overwhelmed him

It had been a long day of work, and they had finally returned Scrubbit's, everyone was already in their respective rooms, probably asleep

He placed his hat on his desk table, taking from it an empty  glass and a container of hot chocolate "I hope this helps for now" Wonka muttered

Before he had a chance to take a sip of the hot chocolate, Wonka heard someone knock on the door. He let out a long sigh, getting up from his desk to go open the door

A smile spread across his face when Wonka realized it was Noodle, but he instantly noticed that she didn't seem to be in good spirits

"Evening, sweetie" Wonka said "What's wrong? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"Yeah... I was asleep a moment ago but... well..." she didn't know how to finish the sentence

Wonka giggled "Let me guess... nightmare?" he questioned

"...No... it's not that... it's just that it's very cold and... now there's a leak above my bed" Noodle explained, crestfallen

"Oh... it's not any less cold here but the hot chocolate could help you sleep" he said softly, stepping aside to let her pass into the room, returning to his desk to take the glass

"Are you still making the chocolates?" Noodle asked

"Yes and I'm almost done!" Wonka exclaimed with a smile, extending his hand towards the girl to offer her the hot chocolate

Noodle took the glass "Thank, dad..."

"Hey, I'm really starting to believe that you're not so discouraged by a leak" Wonka narrowed his eyes, reaching out to touch Noodle's forehead

"What?"

"I don't know much about this but... I think you're getting sick, you have a little fever" he muttered

"Yes, that usually happens to me, it doesn't matter" the girl said indifferently

"Are you kidding me? Of course it matters" Wonka exclaimed with surprise "Luckily you have that hot chocolate now, maybe tomorrow you'll wake up with less fever"

She took a sip "Wow, it's delicious"

"I know, now, you can sit on the bed while I finish my chocolates" Wonka took a seat "By the way, we will have time to talk"

"Yeah..." Noodle muttered, sitting on the bed

"So... what do you think of this new adventure?" he questioned

"Well... I was a little scared but... it's very fun" she said, coughing a few times "Yes... I'll definitely get sick"

"Noodle... do you think I'm a good dad for you?" Wonka slowly looked away

"...What kind of question is that?" Noodle looked at him "Of course you are!" she put the glass on the desk, giving Wonka a hug

He let out a chuckle "Thank, sweetie, but I think I'm putting you at too many risks..."

"That doesn't matter, dad! We face everything together as a family, right?" Noodle said while giving him some space

"Right" Wonka agreed "So you better finish your hot chocolate before it gets cold" Wonka ruffled the girl's hair, then she did the same, to which he jokingly protested

Even though the girl had told him that he was a good father, young Wonka was still in doubt as to how true that was, well, maybe Noodle was only telling him that because of the risk he was putting her in, which for the girl was freedom

After a couple of minutes, he was finally able to make enough chocolates to fill the jar, so Wonka closed his traveling factory until it was nothing more than a suitcase, he could finally get some sleep

Wonka scratched his hair, sighing in relief as he looked back at his bed, only to discover that Noodle had fallen asleep, still holding the now empty glass

"Noodle...-" he fell silent instantly, unable to help but smile. Wonka got up from his desk and walked over to the bed "Hey, Sweetie" he whispered softly

"What...?" she muttered without opening her eyes

"Leave me some space" Wonka giggled, seeing that the girl moved away a little, so he lay down carefully "Tell me the truth, did you come because you didn't want to sleep alone?" he asked

"Maybe..."

Wonka sorrounded his daughter with his arms, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead "Then you can stay this time"

"Noodle, Noodle, apple strudel"

"Some people don't and some people doodle"

"Snakes, flamingos, bears and poodles"

"Singing this song will improve your moodle"

"Noodle - dee - dee, Noodle - dee - dum"

"We're having oodles and oodles of fun..."