Virtual Reality

[bttf4444]

July 14, 1987
12:30 AM PDT
BTTF Universe

Alex had mixed feelings about returning home. On one hand, it would be nice to see his friends and family again. On the other hand, though, he would really miss all the friends that he made in this dimension. He had even become rather fond of Doc and his family. It was nice for him to experience a bit of life in Hill Valley.

"Are you guys ready to head back to your dimensions, now?" asked Doc. "I finally figured out what it was that warped you guys over here. Are you ready to hear it?"

"So what was it, Doc?" Alex asked, excitedly. "Was there a problem with one of your time machines? Even though, it's somewhat ironic - as we didn't come here in a time machine. I have to say that it was nice getting to meet you guys."

As Alex glanced towards Joe, Brantley, and Marty - they all looked a little sad, too. It was going to feel somewhat lonely for Alex, as he would not have anybody to discuss his inter-dimensional adventure with. This was going to be rather hard for him.

"No, it wasn't the time machine," Doc replied. "I conducted a few experiments on the temporal locator. This was a device that I started working on, back when I was living in the Old West. This device was supposed to grab objects from other time periods. I actually figured that it would come in handy, so that I could transport some futuristic items to the Old West. Apparently, the temporal locator has malfunctioned - thus, the locator ended up physically transporting you guys into this world."

"All right, Doc, you lost me," Joe said, scratching his head. "Could you explain this in plain English, please? I'm really not as scientific minded as you are."

Alex had to admit that he felt a little dumb. As intelligent as he was, he really had to admit that science wasn't his strong point - especially not physics. He then wondered if Doc's IQ was even higher than his own. He had to admit that he envied Doc a little bit. He reminded himself that he and Doc just had different passions.

"Oh, uh, sorry," Doc mumbled. "This was supposed to be a device which could locate objects from other time periods, and transport them to the Old West. It's supposed to be more convenient than the time machine, because you can send the items back to the same time that you got them from - so it would neatly avoid paradoxes. This also doesn't need as much electricity as the time machine does, so I figured that it was a very handy device to have."

"That does sound pretty neat," Brantley commented. "So you think it might be your something-or-other locator that must be on the fritz, or something?"

"Precisely," replied Doc. "For the longest time, I was actually able to use this device without a hitch. It came in rather handy during the years that I was in the Old West, and even for some time after moving back to the '80s. For some reason or another, though, this locater decided to go awry on me. I never did intend to use this device to transport people from other time periods, as I always found it to be a major risk."

"Whoa, Doc," breathed Marty, "this is heavy! So what happened, exactly?"

"What happened was," Doc explained, "there was a circuit that had shorted inside the locator, which had created a rip within the space-time continuum, causing all three of you to become sucked into this universe."

"Oh, my goodness!" gasped Alex. "So why did it decide to suck me, as well as Joe and Brantley, into this world? I understand a little bit of what you're saying, but it's really not like this device indiscriminately sucked people into this world."

"That is true," replied Doc, sighing. "What happened was, some of Marty's hair was stuck in the locator - so that was what had resulted in the three of you being sucked here. I still was never able to figure out why the device did not just drag three other Martys. Perhaps, it was because the rip within the space-time continuum was rather large - creating an even bigger disturbance than one might expect."

"This is real heavy, Doc," Marty said, sighing. "I must say that, all things considered, it was nice getting to meet all of you. You were all wonderful."

"Yeah, same to you," replied Alex, as he realized that he and Marty did manage to become rather close friends by now. He had a strong feeling that he might, at least, be able to see Marty again.

"Say, guys," suggested Jennifer, "why don't we get a few pictures of the four of you together, before we send you guys back home."

"That would be great," Alex said, smiling. "The only problem is, I'll never be able to show them to anybody."

"That was the same thing Doc said," Marty commented, "when Doc and I had our picture taken next to the clock back in 1885."

"Yeah, I think we have time to take a few pictures," agreed Doc, smiling. "I have a lot of pictures that I have taken throughout various times, that I can only show to a select few people."

Alex had to see to it that he kept the picture hidden. He would have a difficult time trying to explain why he was with three people wholooked like him.

"Why don't the four of you stand by the window over there," suggested Jennifer, "and you should all smile your cute lopsided smiles. You guys really are like four peas in a pod, you know. It's a shame we can't get Michael here, too."

Alex and everyone else all laughed, as they went to stand by the window. All four of them flashed their lopsided smiles, as Jennifer took several snapshots of them. She had them pose in several other ways, as Jennifer snapped her camera several more times. Jennifer then handed the camera to Doc.

"I'll get these pictures developed in just a few minutes," Doc said, smiling. "Before I send you guys back home, you should see to it that you're wearing the same clothes that you arrived here in the other day. Also, you should see to it that you have all of your belongings with you. Then I will be able to send you to your dimensions, to the precise time that you came here from. It will even drop you off at the exact location as you were when you ended up being warped into this dimension. Nobody will ever know that you were gone."

"I hope you all enjoy the tapes that I gave you," Marty said, smiling. "Well, I now say farewell and wish you godspeed. We've had so much fun the last few days."

Alex and everyone else all hugged each other, as they got a little teary-eyed. After all, there was no knowing if the three of them would ever see each other again. Alex blinked hard, to keep from crying. Besides Marty, he had also become very fond of Brantley Foster - who manage to become very successful in the business world.

"Okay, everyone," Doc instructed, "place your thumbs on this pad. Then, in precisely thirty seconds, you'll all be back home to where you belong. Are you guys ready?"

"I sure am," Alex replied, as he managed a little smile and placed his thumb onto the pad. Joe and Brantley then followed suit. Alex swallowed hard, as to not cry.

"As soon as I pull the lever down," continued Doc, "this device will then generate the temporal displacement field - and, in precisely thirty seconds, you'll all return to the exact location as where you were, when you came here."

"Check, Doc," Alex replied, as he faced everyone and flashed them all a huge smile. After thirty seconds, Alex felt a little pop. Then the three visitors had all disappeared from Doc's lab.

[bttf4444]

July 12, 1987
4:00 PM EDT
Family Ties Universe

Alex felt as if he was in a bit of a daze, as he was walking home. He recalled that he had just parted ways with his good friend, Skippy Handelman - and he had promised to meet Skippy for ice cream later that evening. Not even a poker game could get in the way of his friendship with Skippy.

Alex blushed a little, as he recalled how he ended up dragging Jennifer to the poker gane with him - only to lose her there. He may not always get along with his sisters, but he did love them dearly. He thought of how lucky he was to be a part of a warm and loving family. One thing was certain, things were always exciting at the good ol' Keaton household. He smiled, as he walked up to him home.

"Alex, is that you?" Elyse Keaton called out, as Alex entered the house.

"Yeah, it's me," Alex replied, as he reached into the pantry for a bag of chips. "Is Dad home? What about Mallory, Jennifer, and Andy?"

"Your dad took Andy over to the clinic, for a check up," Elyse explained. "Jennifer is at a birthday party for her friend, Heather. Mallory went out at Guido's with Nick."

Alex resisted the urge to make a face at his mother's last statement. He never could understand what Mallory saw in Nick Moore. This guy was a real jerk!

"So, Alex," Elyse cooed, as she threw her arms around her son, "how about let's do some bonding? Just you and me, okay? You shouldn't be eating all these chips, Alex. You really should be eating something a little healthier."

"Yes, Mom," Alex sighed, rolling his eyes. "So what do you want to do, Mom?"

"Why don't you go put your fleecy pajamas on?" Elyse suggested. "Then I want to tie you to the bed, and tickle your feet for a little while."

"Mom!" Alex groaned. "Is this really necessary? You know that the soles of my feet are horribly ticklish. It's so unbearable."

"You used to always let Ellen tickle your feet," Elyse replied, "and you let Jennifer tickle them. How about letting your dear old mom have the pleasure for once?"

"Oh, all right, then," Alex said, sighing. He didn't honestly hate having the soles of his feet tickled, but it was always so unbearable. He took in a deep breath, as he went to put on his pajamas.

ooooooooooo

"Are you almost ready, honey?" Elyse asked, as she was giving her son a little back rub. His hands were tied to the post of the bed with some rope, while his ankles were secured into some stocks. His two big toes were even tied together with string.

"Oh, Mom," Alex mumbled. "I am so nervous. You have me restrained so securely. I can't even wiggle my feet, since you have my big toes tied together."

"I know, honey," Elyse said, with a wicked smile. "That way, you can't get away from me. Your soles are completely at me mercy. I am really loving this, Alex."

"But, Mom," protested Alex, "why do you have to..."

Without warning, Elyse began to run her fingers up and down Alex's soles - as Alex burst out laughing helplessly. He buried his head into his pillow, trying his very best to block out the extreme tickling sensation. His mother was relentless, however.

"Oh, honey, are you having fun?" teased Elyse. "That's right, honey, just keep right on laughing. Your laughter is music to my ears."

Alex started to thrash his head onto his pillow, as Elyse suddenly ran her fingers into the arches - which were especially ticklish. As unbearably ticklish as his arches were, Alex had to admit that it was his favourite spot to be tickled. Alex stopped struggling, and he surrendered to the unbearable tickling sensation - as he enjoyed the sudden endorphin high. He was laughing helplessly into his pillow.

"You're doing good, Alex," Elyse said, encouragingly, as she began to focus on the balls of his feet. "Your laughter is so captivating. You know that? I love bonding with you like this. We can do this for two hours. Your dad won't be home until 6:30."

Alex felt so helpless, and he was going insane over the intense ticklishness. He could not believe how sadistic his own mother could be. She was actually taking pleasure in the fact that he was suffering from the extreme ticklish torment.

oooooooooo

"So what time is it, Mom?" Alex mumbled, after his mother finally stopped tickling his soles. "I am so worn out from laughing so much, and I promised Skippy that I would go out for ice cream at seven tonight."

"It's only quarter after six," replied Elyse. "Why don't you eat out for supper tonight, too? I really don't feel like cooking anything tonight."

"All right, Mom," mumbled Alex, "I will. I can still feel this tingling in my soles. You're really quite a sadistic tickler, you know?"

"You know you love it, honey," Elyse insisted, as she started to free Alex from all the restraints. "Just admit it. You really do have a nice laugh."

"Yeah, thanks, I guess," replied Alex, as he began to sit up in his bed. "I really love you a lot, Mom. Well, have a nice evening."

"I love you, too, honey," Elyse replied, as she hugged her son. "You might be in your early twenties now, but you'll always be my little boy. It seems like, not too long ago, you were just learning how to walk. I'm really proud of you, honey."

"I love you, Mommy," Alex murmured, as he buried his face in his mother's shoulder. He sighed contentedly, as his mother started to tenderly stroke his hair. His thoughts briefly went towards Joe Rasnick, and he felt real sorry for his friend. There was no telling what he would do, if he was to lose his mother.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Elyse asked, tenderly. "It can feel the shoulder of my shirt getting wet. Are you crying?"

"A little bit, I guess," Alex replied, sniffing. "I just don't know what I would do - if you were ever to, uh, well, you know. The 'd' word, I mean."

"Oh, sweetheart," Elyse cooed, "you needn't worry. I'm pretty sure I'll be around for quite a long time, yet. Even if something was to happen to me, though, I'll still be by you. So please don't worry, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Alex replied, weeping. "It's just that I really care about you a lot."

"I really love you, too, Alex," Elyse said, as she gave her son a tight squeeze.

"Yeah, thanks," mumbled Alex, as he lifted up his tear-stained face. Elyse reached for a tissue, as she began to wipe the tears from her son's face.

"Smile, Alex, okay?" Elyse urged, as she ran her finger along the dimple in Alex's left cheek. "Give me your nice lopsided smile, okay?"

Alex immediately complied, as his mother kissed him on the forehead.

"Well, honey," Elyse said, as she got up, "you'd better start getting ready for your outing with Skippy. You have fun this evening, okay?"

"I will, Mom," replied Alex, smiling - just as his mother left the room.

[bttf4444]

July 12, 1987
4:00 PM EDT
TSOMS Universe

Brantley was in a bit of a daze, as he walked into his house. He decided that he may as well take a little nap. He felt as though he could use a little bit of rest, before he spent the evening with Christy. Brantley sighed to himself, as he thought of how nice it would be to see Christy again.

Just as he was beading to his bedroom, he heard the telephone ringing. He wondered who could be calling now, hoping that it wasn't some telemarketer.

"Hello," Brantley replied, as he picked up the phone. "It's Brantley Foster speaking."

"Oh, honey, this is your mother," Karen replied. "So how are you doing? So what is it like to be the head exucutive of Penrose Corporation? So, are you still enjoying your position at the top of the corporate ladder."

"It's wonderful, Mom," Brantley replied, smiling. "Christy and I are engaged, now. As much as I could not stand Howard Prescott - I must admit that, if it was not for him, I might not have made it as far as I did. So I must give him some credit. You know, it is very funny how things sometimes turn out."

"Well, listen, honey," Karen commented, "your father and I are making plans to visit you next week. As much we still miss having you live in Kansas with us, we are very happy for you. Christy is a sweet young woman, and we can hardly wait to have her for a daughter-in-law. We can hardly wait for you to give us some grandchildren."

"Well, Mom, listen," Brantley said, laughing. "Don't start rushing us like this, please! I mean, I remember how you kept insisting that I was still your little boy - when I first made plans to head off to New York. I felt almost as if you, uh, you wanted me back in diapers. Of course, I'm exaggerating a little - but you get the idea."

"Right, Brantley," replied Karen. "You will always be my child, but we also have to let you live your life. So, if you really do not want to give us grandchildren, that's fine. I guess the bottom line is, your father and I are both very happy for you. We are both so proud to have a son who managed to rise to the top of the corporate ladder."

"Yeah, thanks, Mom," Brantley said, a little nervously. "I have to admit that I really do miss you at times, too. I mean, there is no telling what I would do, if something ever happened to you. It may not always seem that way, but I really do look up to the two of you for support. The two of you really are like my lifeline."

"I understand, Brantley," Karen said, gently. "I understand that your dad and I may sometimes come off as being a bit overly protective, but it's just because you're our only child - so we sometimes do worry about you."

"Right, I understand," Brantley said, smiling. "It's nice that we can still write to each other, and even talk to you on the phone like this from time to time."

"You know, Brantley," Karen said, "this place does seem a little empty without you, but we also realize that you are now a young successful man. At any rate, is Christy at your home right now? I was hoping to able to talk with her a little bit."

"No, she is out with the girls," Brantley explained, "spending a little bit of girl time, I guess. It's nice that she and Vera finally became friends. Vera is still with my friend, Fred Melrose - and the two of them are about to move in together."

"Well then," replied Karen, "tell Christy that I said 'hi'. I guess that's all for now. I'm so proud of you, honey - and it's nice that you made the success that you did."

"Take care of yourself, Mom," Brantley replied. "I guess I'll see you real soon."

Brantley sighed to himself, as he hung up the phone. He decided to maybe order out from Pizza Hut, and he and Christy could eat some pizza - and maybe watch a movie that night, possibly either Light of Day or Back to the Future.

He started to go through his small package, trying to decide if he should listen to The Pinheads or The Barbusters first. How was he going to be able to explain any of this to his girlfriend? He had often been compared to Alex P Keaton, and he could hardly believe that he actually got a chance to see this fellow.

He hadn't ever really thought too much about Marty McFly's band, as his band wasn't the main focus of the movie. He did remember feeling somewhat bad about the fact that the audition judges did not care for his music. He also remembered feeling sorry for Marty at the beginning of the movie - but feeling so happy for Marty at the end of the movie. Brantley began to wonder what it must be like, if he could go back in time to see his parents at a younger age.

His heart then began to go out to Joe Rasnick, as he remembered how Joe wanted to go back in time, so that he could prevent his mother's death from happening. As Joe finally decided that it was best to just accept his mother's fate, Brantley couldn't help but feel bad for him. That must have been a very hard decision for Joe to make.

Brantley began to understand how Doc Brown felt in 1955, after he sent Marty back to 1985. Even though, Brantley really had no idea if he would ever see any of these people again. Marty might, one day, feel a bit inclined to bring Doc's DeLorean into this world - and pay him a little visit. He did remember Marty explaining to him that the DeLorean time machine was able to travel between alternate realities.

Brantley never would have guessed that some of his favourite characters really did exist in alternate realities. He had to admit that, as great as it was be on top of the corporate ladder, he did envy Marty a little. Even with all the drawbacks of dealing with time paradoxes, he figured that it would be fun to visit other time periods.

Just then, the phone rang again, jolting Brantley from his thoughts.

"Hello," Brantley replied, picking up the phone. "It's Brantley Foster speaking."

"Oh, hello, Brantley," gushed a familiar female voice. "I'll probably be able around six this evening. Would you like me to get anything for you?"

"Why don't you stop by Pizza Hut on the way over?" Brantley suggested. "Pick us a medium-sized double cheese pan pizza and some breadsticks. Bring us a few Diet Pepsis too, okay? Can you remember that?"

"Sure, Brantley," replied Christy. "Do you want to watch a movie tonight, too?"

"Why don't we watch Back to the Future?" Brantley suggested, smiling.

"That sounds like a great idea," gushed Christy. "You do look so much like the actor, Michael J Fox! I'll be over in about an hour or so."

"See you later, honey," Brantley replied, as he hung up the phone.

Brantley smiled to himself, as he thought of Christy's comment about how he looked like Michael J Fox. If only Christy knew.

[bttf4444]

July 12, 1987
4:00 PM EDT
LOD Universe

Joe felt as if he was in a daze, once he returned to his dimension. He looked around himself, as he realized he was on his way to the park. Maybe he would head home, so that he could catch a little nap. He would never be able to discuss his experiences with anyone. Even his sister might think that he was crazy. Benji might believe him, but if he was to repeat to his mother what Joe said to him - Joe would be in trouble.

He wondered if Patti and Benji might want to watch Back to the Future with him this evening. He sighed to himself, as he realized that he would never be able to watch that movie again in the same light. It was still a little hard for him to believe that he actually exchanged tapes with Marty McFly! He even received a few tapes of Alex's sister in her band.

He began to wonder if he would ever be able to see Alex P Keaton, Brantley Foster, or Marty McFly again. Of course, Marty did have the time travelling DeLorean - so it may be possible that Marty might feel inclined to bring the DeLorean into this world.

He began to wish he had someone like Doc Brown, to discuss things like this with. Of course, he would be able to eventually dismiss this whole thing as a dream - if it was not for the fact that he brought back a few items from that world.

His thoughts then leaned towards his mother, as he remembered the vision that he had. He began to second-guess his decision of not going back in time to prevent his mother from dying of ovarian cancer. Tears suddenly came to his eyes, as he began to realize the finality of his mother's death.

"Hey, Joe, honey," called out a familiar feminine voice. As Joe turned around, he could see his mother standing by one of the trees.

"Hey, Mom!" Joe called out, shocked. "It's so good to see you. I can't even began to tell you how much I greatly missed you. It's like there is a hole in my heart."

"I understand, honey," Jeannette said, gently. "You really must move on with your life, though. Your sister needs you, as does your nephew. Do you remember what I said to you a little earlier? One day, we will all be reunited."

"Yeah, Mom, I guess so," Joe replied, as he began to cry. "It's just that I really miss you so much, Mom. I still remember how I always came to you, whenever there was something troubling me. I really need you, Mom! Please don't leave me!"

"I really have no choice," Jeannette replied, as she reached out to tenderly wipe the tears from Joe's face. "Please, Joe, you really should be strong. Your sister and your nephew both need you to be strong for him. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, Mom, I do," Joe said, swallowing. "This will be so hard on me, though. I just wish I could have brought you back to life."

"Listen, honey," Jeannette said, gently, "just try to remember that I always will love you - and we will, one day, be reunited. How about a hug for your dear mother?"

Joe immediately threw his arms around his mother, while his mother hugged him back. He suddenly felt his mother disappearing. Joe suddenly fell to the ground. Joe began to cry again, as he began to feel so lost without his mother.

"Oh, Mom, I can't do this," Joe sobbed. "Why did you have to die? Why did this have to happen? I really need you, Mom! I really need you badly."

After crying for what seemed to be a long time, he suddenly felt someone rubbing his shoulders. He wondered if maybe his mother did return.

"Are you okay, Uncle Joe?" Benji asked, sweetly. "Why are you crying?"

"Honey, I think he misses your grandma," Patti replied, gently. "Listen, Joe, I had a vision a little while ago, when I saw Mom. I really miss him, too, and I regret all the years that I was bitter towards her. However, I think Mom really would like for us to remain strong. We do still have to continue to live our lives."

"I guess you are right, Patti," Joe said, sniffing. "I guess we do have to continue our lives. It's just that, her death is a really great loss to me. I always did look up to her, even when there was strife between the two of you. It sometimes got so hard to try to maintain harmony in the family, when you weren't even speaking to our mom."

"Believe me, Joe," Patti said, softly, "I do have a lot more regrets than you do. I feel that I should have done the right thing, and told her straight away. I guess I was too worried what people may think of me, if our mother lost her faith."

"Well, believe it or not, Patti," Joe said, sighing, "I do have my share of regrets, too."

"Yeah, maybe you do," Patti said, quietly, "but we really must respect our mother's wishes. She wishes for us to remain strong, and to carry on with living. Listen, little Benji wants to go out for Pizza Hut tonight. I think some pizza and breadsticks may be just what we need. What do you say, Joe?"

"That's a really good idea, Patti," Joe replied. "After all, we..." Joe burst out laughing, as Benji began to tickle him all over his torso. "Benji, please stop! Stop it! Stop it! It really tickles! Please, Benji, I happen to be real ticklish."

"Tickle! Tickle! Tickle!" Benji teased, as he continued to run his fingers all over Joe's torso. "You can't escape the tickle monster, Uncle Joe!"

"Come on, Benji," Patti urged, as grabbed her son's arms and restrained them. "Hey, listen, honey - if you be a good boy, I will let you tickle the soles of your Uncle Joe's feet tonight. I'll restrain him good, and you can tickle those soles for as long as you'd like. Won't that be fun, Benji?"

"Patti!" Joe protested. "You really can't be serious! You know how unbearably ticklish the soles of my feet are! Why are you giving your son permission to torture me?"

"Because you know you love it, Joe," Patti said, smirking. "Besides, there must be a good reason why God chose to make the soles of your feet so ticklish! I think it was so that people can have fun tickling them, and making you laugh. I mean, you have such lovely ticklish feet, Joe. What would be the point of having very ticklish soles, if we can't take advantage of it and have fun with them?"

"I guess you got me, Patti," Joe said, grimacing a little bit. "I guess, in order in be a good uncle, I have no choice but let him torture me like this, eh?"

"Just admit it, Joe," Patti said, coyly, "you just love being tickled on the soles of your feet, and you especially love having those arches tickled."

"Yeah, I guess I admit it," Joe said, sighing. It did feel funny to admit that he actually loved being tickled on the soles of his feet - when it just happened to be the one spot on his body that was so unbearably ticklish, and people in his position were supposed to hate being tickled there.

"Come on, now," Patti said, laughing, "let's head over to Pizza Hut, shall we? Maybe they might have one of our albums in the jukebox. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"It would be so awesome," Joe repliied, as he scooped up little Benji and hugged him tightly. "I really love you, Benji!"

"I love you, too, Uncle Joe," Benji said, sweetly.

Joe then kissed his nephew on the top of his head, as he and Patti made their way over to Pizza Hut. Joe felt great love for his sister and nephew.

[bttf4444]

July 14, 1987
3:00 PM PDT
BTTF Universe

After the visitors had returned to their respective dimensions, Marty decided that he might as well spend a few hours with his family. As excited as Marty was about being able to take the next big step with Jennifer, he had to admit that it would feel a little strange to no longer live with his family. Marty sighed to himself, as he realized how scary adulthood could be.

As Marty stepped into the house, he could smell the delicious scent of stuffed shells coming from the kitchen. He mentally compared how his mother's cooking was very different betweeen the original timeline, and the new and improved timeline.

"Oh, hi, Marty," Lorraine called out, cheerfully, as Marty stepped into the kitchen. "I must say, I really will miss having you in our house. I'm so glad that you decided to stay in Hill Valley. It would be so nice if we could all get together for dinner at least once a week. It probably won't happen, though."

"I sure will miss your stuffed shells, Mom," Marty commented, "even though Jennifer and I are working at preparing them ourselves. Of course, there is also Francesca's Italian Diner. Sometimes, Mom, I do miss being a kid."

"Well, as sad as I am to know that you'll soon be leaving this house," Lorraine said, with a heavy sigh, "I am also happy for you, that you are going to take the next big step in your life. I can hardly wait for you and Jennifer to give your dad and I some grandchildren. Jennifer is such a nice girl, you know."

"We do definitely plan to have kids," Marty said, smiling. He realized that, within ten years, Marlene would be born - and Marty Jr would be born a year after that. Having already had a few adventures with his future children, he wondered what it would be like to finally meet them through the natural course of time.

"So what's on your mind, honey?" Lorraine asked. "You seem to be a little bit deep in thought. Are you thinking about the future?"

"Uh, yeah, sort of," replied Marty. "I guess I'm imagining what it will be like, when we finally do have children. I'm imagining the idea of Jennifer and I having our very own family. The thought does seem a little, uh, surreal to me."

"It will probably be like how your father and I felt," Lorraine said, smiling, "when you children were born. Gee, it seems like not too long ago - you were beginning to take your first steps. My God, has it been that long? Where does all the time go?"

"Yeah, Mom, it's funny how quickly and slowly time tends to go by," Marty said, with a little sigh. Even with all the adventures that Marty had taken through time in Doc's DeLorean, he still understood the average person's perspective on time. One factor he usually didn't even consider, was the fact that he was a few weeks older than his official age. He stopped caring about that a long time ago.

"You know, it's a real shame that Calvin Klein is gone, now," Lorraine said, sighing. "I haven't seen him since 1955, but it was still so sad to hear about his death. I wonder if the Kleins are distantly related to your father. So far, we haven't managed to make a connection - but Calvin Klein did look uncannily like you."

"As far as I know, we're not related to Michael J Fox," Marty pointed out. "It can very well be possible that the Kleins just resemble me, and some of Dad's ancestors. That could very well be possible, as far-fetched as it might seem. For all we know, maybe the Kleins are really related to Michael J Fox."

"Gee, I hadn't even considered that," Lorraine replied. "I know some said that, when I was younger, I resembled Lea Thompson a bit. I really do not think I am related to her, either. I guess it seems a bit uncanny that Calvin Klein chose to visit Hill Valley, of all places, back in 1955. Not only that, but he was related to Dr. Brown. I suppose that's why he came to really like you a lot."

"It could be possible," Marty replied, not wanting to tell his mother about what really happened. "I guess he likes me, partially because I reminded him of his nephew."

"There is one other thing I am somewhat curious about," Lorraine said. "I wonder if he might be related to the fashion designer of the same name. Come to think of it, I did find out about his name by looking at his underwear. Maybe the fashion designer of the same name was an uncle of his, or something."

"That's, uh, very interesting," Marty said, a little nervously.

"I still can't believe he died," Lorraine said, as tears filled her eyes. "He was only the same age as your father and I. He was such a sweet boy."

Marty swallowed. He found himself greatly wishing he could somehow retract the idea that Calvin Klein died of cancer. He really couldn't be too angry with Joe Rasnick, but he felt so bad that it was Joe's suggestion that Calvin Klein died of cancer.

"I guess life does go on, though," Lorraine said, sighing. "It looks like it'll just be the three of us eating tonight. Your father should be home, soon."

"It'll be nice having dinner with the two of you," Marty replied, as he threw his arms around his mother. "Well, one day, you'll be able to cook dinner for our children, as well." And you might be able to hydrate a pizza for them, Marty added - as he recalled Jennifer's recollection of that dinner scene from their first trip to 2015.

"I'm sure your children will turn out to be just like you," Lorraine said, smiling.

"Right, Mom," Marty said, smiling. If only you knew, Marty added. silently.

"Of course, there is one thing I could never figure out," Lorraine added. "Calvin did mention something about, if your dad and I had kids, one of them might set fire to the living room rug at the age of eight, that we should go easy on him. We were so surprised that it actually did happen, when you were eight."

"Well, Mom, it was maybe just a coincidence," Marty suggested, smiling.

"Yeah, maybe so," Lorraine replied, "but he could also be some sort of psychic. I do wonder what did prompt him to make that comment, though."

"Who really knows?" Marty replied, shrugging. "Well, I guess I'll go set the table. You are such a wonderful cook. You are also a wonderful mom."

"Well, thank you, honey," Lorraine replied, smiling. "I wish you and Jennifer the best of luck. Congratulations on taking the next big step in your life, Marty."

"Thanks, Mom," Marty replied, as he began to set the table for three.

He had to admit that moving out of his family home was a bittersweet experience. He smiled to himself, though - as he thought of how he and Jennifer would, someday in the future, start their own family. He and Jennifer would not be getting married at the Chapel O' Love, and his son would not grow up to be a wimp. Perhaps, he may even achieve fame as a rock star. One could dream, anyway.