August 25, 2016
6:20 PM PDT

Marty McFly Sr smiled, as he glanced at his daughter. It seemed strange to think that, today, Marlene was turning nineteen. She really was a pretty girl. Her light brown hair was in loose waves - and her eyes were brown, like cocoa. She had such a soft dimple in her left cheek, much like her father and brother. She had a rather clear complexion.

The two of them were eating at Perkin's, and they both ordered a beef French dip. It was a bittersweet feeling, knowing that both of his children were adults. He felt quite old, as he realized that his children might soon move out. It made him feel a little sad.

"Thank you so much, Dad," gushed Marlene. "I feel bad, now, for ever doubting that you love me as much as... Well, you know. It was thanks to your younger self. I just have a tendency to... I regret how there were times, when I wanted to be mature."

"Don't worry about it, honey," Marty Sr replied, softly. "To me, you will always be my little girl. I can still remember the day that you took your first step. I'm very glad that it happened, while I wasn't on the road. I'm quite so glad about my decision. I retired from touring, a little over ten years ago. You children rather mean so much, to me."

"You're the best dad that one could ask for," commented Marlene. "I hope that, when I have children, I'll really be a good mother to them. Mike Hartford sure is a wonderful guy. I know that I've been so boy crazy, but I have a feeling that he's just the one."

"It's been a few months, now," Marty Sr pointed out. "He does seem like a wonderful person. As much as the idea of you getting married really... It's sure going to be real tough day. Well, I suppose I really could look forward to becoming a grandfather."

"Well, it'll probably be some time," explained Marlene. "I simply don't feel as though I'm ready to be a mother." Taking a deep breath, she added, "Hey, Dad, you know what I regret?" Marty Sr just nodded, encouraging. "Well, Dad, what I quite regret is... is the fact that I didn't always appreciate my youth. I wasted much of my youth, wanting..."

"We all have regrets in life, honey," Marty Sr replied, as he gently placed his hand on Marlene's arm. "Y'know, Marly, you're rather free to just stay at home - until you feel that you're ready to find your own place. We certainly don't wish to pressure you."

"I actually do appreciate that, Dad," Marlene replied, smiling. "What I actually feel bad about, though, is remembering how I used to give my brother a rather hard time - just because he wasn't as excited about being mature. I felt that he was pretty childish."

"Well, Marly, it's true that you sometimes were hard on yourself," Marty Sr admitted, softly. "There actually were several times, honey, when your mother and I were real concerned about you. Still, I remember all the good times that you've really had. You and your brother enjoyed having balloon fights, and you quite loved to torment me."

"I remember that," Marlene replied, laughing. "I can remember how we used to sneak up behind you, and we'd pelt you with a water balloon. You would really turn around, and you had a shocked look on your face. My brother and I would start laughing."

"Yeah, Marly, you were a little stinker," Marty Sr replied, rather indulgently. "You and your brother both. I quite remember how you and your brother would get, whenever I would come home from touring. You children were always very excited to see me."

"We rather did miss you," Marlene commented, wistfully, "whenever you were on the road. We never understood why you couldn't just bring us with you. We simply loved it, whenever you'd tell us stories. You used to give us piggyback rides, and we simply had a lot of fun. We certainly were glad, when you announced your plans to retire."

"I've always felt that I made the right decision," Marty Sr replied, softly. "You were a week shy of turning eight, by the time I got home. While I've quite enjoyed my music career, I decided that my family was more important to me. You're all quite special."

"It's too bad that I'll never be a pop star," Marlene commented, sighing. "I sure hope to have a chance at acting, at least. After all, there's quite no sense in chasing after some dream - which would never become a possibility. I don't have the right voice."

"I never quite wished to discourage you, sweetheart," explained Marty Sr. "After all, I didn't wish to go against what I've always taught you children. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. While I rather feel that the expression still holds true, we also have to recognize our limits. I'm glad that you found an alternative, though."

"Can I ask you a question, Dad?" Marlene asked, as tears filled her eyes. Marty Sr felt rather bad, as he placed his daughter's hands into his. "Say, Dad, you don't think that I have a terrible singing voice - do you? I mean, if you do... It'd sure break my heart."

"No, honey, I don't think you have a terrible singing voice," Marty Sr replied, as tears filled his own eyes. "It's just that... Well, we all sure have different talents. I've seen you're acting skills, honey. You were wonderful! I don't think that I could act as well."

"Thank you, Dad," Marlene replied, as a tear slipped down her cheek. "I guess I quite felt worried." Taking in a deep sigh, she added, "I really thought of something. If you did opt to become an actor, it would seem rather strange. I mean, you quite look just like Michael J Fox. I guess that was one of my insecurities, of becoming an actress."

"Well, yeah, your femininity was quite a sore spot for you," Marty Sr replied, softly. "I do find you to be a beautiful girl, though. While you certainly share many of my traits, though - I think you do look rather feminine. You also really have your mother's hair."

"Thanks for your encouragement, Dad," Marlene replied, as a smile spread across her face. "Y'know, Dad, you've always been very helpful. I do remember how, earlier this summer, I was worried that you didn't love me as much. Man, I really was being silly."

"It's in the past, honey," commented Marty Sr, as he gently squeezed Marlene's arm. "Y'know, Marly, I almost didn't make it - when you were born. I'm certainly glad that I was rather persistent. As a result, I was able to watch you come into the world - and it really was a miracle. I held you in my arms, and I realized how precious you were."

"That's so sweet, Dad," Marlene replied, as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "It's just so nice, Dad, that you took me out to dinner. I remember being about four, and I was scared of monsters. You made this 'monster spray', and you'd use it in my room."

"Oh, you remember that!" Marty Sr replied, chuckling. "What I did was, I just decided to mix a few essential oils together - including lavender and ylang-ylang. Every night, right before I'd tuck you in, we'd spray your bedroom. That actually seemed to help."

"It actually smelled very nice, too," Marlene replied, smiling. "I also remember how you would tell me fairy tales, and you'd always replace the character's name with mine. It'll definitely be a tradition, that I'd pass onto my own children. I felt quite special. That is one thing I quite miss. We'd also dance together, as I'd place my feet onto your feet."

"I also miss all those things, honey," Marty Sr replied, softly. Looking at his daughter's plate, he added, "Well, Marly, are you really about ready for dessert? How would you like to have a large mint shake, topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles?"

"That sounds quite awesome, Dad," gushed Marlene. "Say, by the time Mike and I get married - which probably won't be for some time, yet - I was actually wondering if you could... could sing Butterfly Kisses. Y'know, by Bob Carlisle? It's a rather lovely song."

"Honey," Marty Sr replied, as he touched his daughter's arm, "I can't even listen to the song... without crying. Just how do you expect me to be able to sing it? I simply don't think I'd be able to get halfway through the song, until I start bawling. It would really be a total mess. I'm afraid that you'll just have to pick a different song."

"Aw, shucks!" groaned Marlene. "Well, as I said, it probably won't be for some time. I just met Mike, not long ago - and I'd rather hate to pressure him. I do think he's quite the one for me, though. Aunt Linda tells me that it really was the same case for her."

"You and your aunt really have a lot in common," Marty Sr pointed out, chuckling. "Of course, you both also have a lot in common... with your grandma! Well, we'd love for Mike to join the family. I do promise that we'll treat him as if he's part of our family."

"That's one more thing I appreciate about you, Dad," Marlene replied, cheerfully. "We do tend to hear many real horror stories, y'know, about people who have to deal with their evil in-laws. I'm happy that, for Mike and I, it certainly won't be the case. I really do feel for those people. I can imagine that it'd make their lives feel rather stressful."

"Yeah, Mike's parents are real wonderful folks," agreed Marty Sr, warmly. "They seem to have the same desires, as your mother and I do. They sure just want their children to be happy. It'll be pretty hard, though, when that day comes... to just let you go."

"I understand, Dad," Marlene replied, with a small smile. "Just for old times' sake, why don't we mix up some of that 'monster spray'. Then, tonight, you can tuck me in - and tell me some of those fairy tales. I know that I'm nineteen, now - but I'd really like..."

"Oh, of course, sweetheart," replied Marty Sr, as he looked into his daughter's brown eyes. One thing was rather certain. While, according to the law, Marlene was now an adult - to Marty Sr, she would quite always be his little girl. The girl sitting across from him... was the very same girl that he watched enter the world: Marlene Stella McFly.