20 years ago.

Hallmark Hills Winery & Jelly Farm.

Harmony Hills Winery & Jelly Farm was a modest and functional space. The farmhouse, weathered by years of sun and wind, stood at the heart of the property. Surrounding it were orderly rows of grapevines, their leaves rustling in the breeze, and sprawling orchards teeming with a variety of fruits destined for the jelly jars.

The farm buildings, though not grand, radiated a sense of purpose. The barn, where tools and equipment found their places, stood adjacent to the modest winemaking facility. A well-worn path led through the orchards, where fruit trees provided shade to the occasional wandering visitor.

The air was filled with the earthy scent of soil, the sweetness of ripening fruits, and the faint aroma of fermenting grapes. Fields of green and gold stretched as far as the eye could see, interrupted only by the occasional figure tending to the crops or preparing the next batch of preserves.

Y/N, with a content smile, made his way to a particular tree on the farm – the cocoa tree. Arriving at the designated spot, he found the cocoa pods ripe and ready for harvest. "They are ripe." A genuine happiness crossed his face as he inspected the bountiful yield.

Without wasting any time, he turned on his heels and ran back towards the farmhouse.

Y/N, bubbling with enthusiasm, rushed to his great uncle and aunt's bedroom. He shook his great uncle awake, who groggily opened his eyes, clearly annoyed by the early disturbance. "What is it, Y/N? It better be important," his uncle grumbled.

Undeterred, Y/N eagerly exclaimed, "Uncle Joe, Auntie Matilda, the grapes, oranges, and cocoa beans are all ripe! You've got to see them!" His uncle, still half-asleep, mumbled something about going back to bed.

Then, as Y/N mentioned cocoa beans, his great uncle's eyes shot open. "Cocoa beans? Really?" In an instant, the annoyance transformed into excitement. His uncle, now wide awake, followed Y/N to witness the awaited harvest, realizing the significance of the ripe cocoa beans for their next batch of treats.

In a flurry of excitement, Y/N and his great uncle Joe burst into the farmhouse, their voices echoing through the corridors. "Harvest time! Harvest time!" they shouted with infectious joy.

Aunt Matilda, roused from her slumber, quickly understood the commotion. She sprang out of bed, a twinkle in her eye, and grabbed the baskets with practiced efficiency. "Well, what are we waiting for? The fruits and cocoa beans won't pick themselves!" she declared in that no-nonsense but delightful tone of hers.

Shortly after the ruckus began, Y/N's father, Elroy, descended the staircase with a gentle smile. Holding onto his cane, he observed the bustling scene with a quiet satisfaction.

They all went outside and started harvesting the ripe fruits and cocoa beans. Working together, they filled the baskets with the bounty from the vineyards and orchards.

Y/N and his father made their way to the cocoa tree, each armed with a basket. They began the straightforward task of collecting the ripe cocoa beans, plucking them from the tree one by one.

Elroy, as they worked on gathering cocoa beans, glanced at Y/N with a reminiscent smile. "You know, it's because of chocolate that I met your mother," he shared, his tone carrying a touch of nostalgia.

Y/N, curious about his parents' story, asked, "How did you meet Mama?" as they continued to collect cocoa beans. Elroy chuckled, his eyes reflecting the fond memories. "Well, it was at a chocolate festival. She was a fellow enthusiast, well, very enthusiastic. As a matter of fact she's a highly extroverted and energetic party girl, and we bonded over our love for all things chocolate. The rest, as they say, is history,"

Charlie, still engrossed in the task of gathering cocoa beans, took a moment to share his thoughts with Y/N. "Chocolate is more than just a treat, kiddo. It's a bridge between people, a language of its own. Your mother and I connected over a shared love for chocolate, and that connection turned into a life together. It has a way of bringing joy, comfort, and even forging bonds. Remember, it's not just about the taste; it's about the moments and connections it creates,"

After collecting the cocoa beans, Y/N and Roald returned to where Joe and Matilda were busy with the wine-making process. Matilda, sniffed and examined the beans, shared her excitement, "This cocoa is top-notch. We can take these delights to France when we finally make that trip!"

Joe, pouring the wine into barrels, chimed in, "Speaking of France, we've been talking about that trip for years, Matilda." There was a playful banter in his words.

Elroy, noticing Y/N's interest in the cocoa beans, decided to take him aside for a special project. "How about we turn some of these cocoa beans into chocolate, just like I did with my parents in the old days?" he suggested with a twinkle in his eye.

Y/N smiled happily as he joined Elroy in the chocolate-making process. Elroy, sensing the joy in the air, mentioned, "Let's take our time with this. You know how much Mama loves making candy." He playfully added, "She's like my bumblebee."

A playful voice interrupted the chocolate-making session, and Y/N's mother entered the kitchen. Wearing a black choker and a pink off-the-shoulder crop-top with a heart-shaped cutout, she brought an air of vibrant energy. "What did you call me~?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Elroy, caught in the act of chocolate-making without her, grinned guiltily. "Well, my bumblebee, it looks like Y/N and I couldn't resist the cocoa beans. We thought we'd surprise you,"

Y/N, unable to contain his joy, happily ran to his mother and enveloped her in a tight hug. She smiled warmly, kissed his head, and reciprocated the embrace. Elroy, joining the familial hug, found himself wrapped in the love of his wife and son.

Breaking away from the embrace, Y/N's mother looked at both Y/N and Elroy with a fond smile. "How are my two favorite people doing?" she asked, her eyes reflecting a genuine warmth that resonated through the kitchen.

Y/N shared the news with his mother, "We're making chocolate, Mama! Fresh from the cocoa beans we harvested today." His eyes sparkled with excitement.

Y/N's mother responded with an exuberant grin, "Chocolate-making, huh? My two troublemakers couldn't resist the cocoa, I see." She playfully tousled Y/N's hair, then turned to Elroy with a mock stern look. "You know you're not allowed to make chocolate without me!" Her tone was teasing, a mix of genuine delight and the playful scolding. She trapped her husband in a armlock and kissed his head.

"You're in trouble, mister. Making chocolate without me? I'm going to get you for this~" She whispered to Elroy, causing him to blush.

Elroy, Y/N, and Y/N's mother gathered around the kitchen counter, ready to turn the freshly harvested cocoa beans into delectable chocolate. The process unfolded with a mix of precision and shared joy.

Sorting and Cleaning: They started by carefully sorting through the cocoa beans, discarding any impurities or unripe ones. Y/N's mother skillfully led this step, her hands moving with practiced efficiency.

Roasting: The sorted beans were then spread on a baking sheet and roasted in the oven. The kitchen filled with the rich aroma as the beans transformed, releasing their distinct chocolate essence.

Cracking and Winnowing: Once roasted, the cocoa beans were cracked open to reveal the nibs inside. Y/N enthusiastically took charge of this step, the satisfying sound of cracking beans echoing in the kitchen. Together, they winnowed the nibs, removing the husks to reveal the pure cocoa essence.

Melting and Tempering: The cocoa nibs were melted in a carefully controlled process. Elroy, with years of experience, guided the tempering stage, ensuring the chocolate reached the perfect consistency.

Pouring and Setting: With the tempered chocolate ready, they poured it into molds. Y/N's mother added a touch of flair, drizzling some with contrasting chocolate for an artistic touch. The molds were left to set, and the anticipation of the final result filled the kitchen.

Y/N's mother, injecting a playful and creative twist, brought out an assortment of sweet treasures to add to the chocolate. As the melted cocoa reached the ideal consistency, she began the artful process of incorporating gummy fish, wisps of cotton candy, and an array of vibrant jelly beans. Anything sweet that could be found in the kitchen seemed to find its way into the mixture.

Y/N, noticing the abundance of sweet additions, curiously asked his mother, "Why are you adding so much sweetness to the chocolate?" His eyebrows raised in a playful yet puzzled expression.

His mother, with a mischievous grin, responded, "Because, sweet bean, life is too short for boring plain chocolate. Let's turn up the flavors and surprises! Besides, a little extra sweetness never hurt anyone." She said and kissed his forehead.

"Besides. It's not just the chocolate that tastes great. What makes it great, is the people you share it with." She said and kissed his forehead.