June 11, 1986
4:45 PM PST
Haven Universe
As Marty woke up, he saw that he was in the guest room of the Brown's house. Upon stretching, Sabrina walked into the room. He simply felt nervous, as he thought of his outburst. It simply felt strange to think that, from Sabrina's perspective, he made the wish only two hours ago. From his perspective, it was just over a day and a half ago.
"Do you understand now, Marty?" Sabrina asked, softly. "The thing is, Doc sure never meant to hurt you. I talked with him, and he honestly felt bad about upsetting you. In fact, he had no idea that you would... He just didn't expect you to react so strongly."
"I'm sorry, Sabrina," Marty whispered, blushing. "You were right. I, uh... The thing is, I simply do tend to forget... forget that Doc never knew my family... from the original timeline. It's sometimes so hard, being the only one to even remember that timeline."
"I understand what you're saying," Sabrina replied, as she placed her hand on Marty's forehead. "I mean... Well, I don't entirely know what your situation's like. I can rather imagine, though, that this can be quite tough for you. In the original timeline, I'm very certain that Doc was... that Doc was like a father figure for you. I guess that can..."
"Actually, within the last day or so," Marty explained, quietly, "I've learned a lot. The thing is, I must admit that I enjoyed having Doc without a family. However, I actually came to realize that Doic wasn't as happy. I sure do want Doc to be happy, y'know."
"That's why you quite decided to come back?" Sabrina asked, as a smile spread across her face. Marty simply nodded. "I know how much you really enjoy spending time with the boys. I mean, they really do look up to you... especially Verne. You and Verne..."
"It's so funny," commented Marty, as he burst out laughing. "One would hardly guess that Verne really grew up in the 19th Century. I mean, he's just come to adapt to our culture. He even wishes to become a rock star! I really guess it's wrong for me to just begrudge Doc of his happiness. I sometimes quite forget that, in this timeline, Doc..."
"I can't say that I really blame you," Sabrina replied, softly. "I mean, you simply have multiple pasts - and you never will forget the originating timeline. Doc's rather fond of you, Marty. That'll never change. Do you remember what all he named his children?"
"I sure do," Marty replied, as he flashed a lopsided smile. "The oldest one is Jules Clint Brown. The next one is Verne Calvin Brown. The youngest is Haven Martina Brown. Is it actually true, Sabrina, that you really plan on naming one of your children Martin?"
"If our first child is a son," explained Sabrina, "we really plan to name him Todd Martin Wilkins. Brad quite insisted on naming our first son Todd, after his grandfather. I'm so anxious to become a mother. If we have girl, I'd actually like to name her Tabitha. On that note, we agreed that our daughters would end up taking on my last name."
"Is Marty awake, yet?" Doc asked, as he stepped into the room. As he placed Marty's hands into his, he added, "I didn't quite mean to be so insensitive, Marty. I really was thinking. If you really would like to come with us, Marty, I could still buy you a ticket."
"Aw, Doc," Marty gushed, as he threw his arms around Doc. With tears in his eyes, he added, "It's real sweet of you to offer. However, I think you simply deserve to have a vacation - with just your family. Otherwise, I'd actually feel like I was a spoiled brat."
"Are you sure about that, Marty?" Doc asked, softly. "The thing is, I feel so terrible. I never really meant to hurt your feelings. It's no trouble for me." Marty nodded, as he smiled. "How about this? In a couple months, I can plan another trip to Disneyland. In fact, the next time around, we could all go. Does that sound like a good deal?"
"It sure does," Marty replied, as a huge smile spread across his face. "I should've just been more understanding. I'm not sure if Sabrina told you about... the wish. I do feel quite bad, though, for not appreciating the fact that you've always wanted a family."
"Well, just try not to worry about it," suggested Doc, as he placed his hand on Marty's forehead. "Jennifer's on her way. I really told her about what happened, and she said that... Well, she'd actually like to spend tomorrow with you. Isn't that pretty sweet?"
"That's my Jennifer," Marty replied, happily. "Doc, I was actually wondering... Have you ever thought of just inventing, uh, some device that could record dreams. Your other self... It was something that he invented. Essentually, you're the same... So, when all is said and done, I wondered if you also thought of inventing the device."
"It's come to my mind," replied Doc. "I even started thinking of ways to design it. Still, it probably won't be quite for... I will never lose my passion for inventing. As I have a family, though... Well, I'm spending more time with them. I sure do adore my family."
"I'll bet you do," Marty commented, dreamily. "Jennifer and I would really like to have a family, too. Even if I become a rock star... I'm sure that I will... I'd really just like to be a supportive father. I would just like to have the joy of seeing my children grow."
"I'm sure that you would," Doc replied, chucking. "Seeing as you've met your children, as well as your grandchildren..." Suddenly, he called out, "Jennifer! It's nice of you to be here. Marty has just woken up. He's certainly feeling much better. He's really okay with waiting a couple of months. I shouldn't've been so thoughtless, and I feel bad."
"I'm so happy to hear that," Jennifer replied, as she sat on the bed. She began to run her finger along the dimple in Marty's left cheek, as she whispered, "I do feel that you and I should, uh, do something special. This Thursday really sounds like a good day."
"I sure would love it," Marty replied, as he drew Jennifer close to him. "It would be so awesome. I have a concert to perform, tomorrow night. It's sure exciting. Of course, when I think about Thursday, I'm even more excited! I'm looking very forward to it."
"I wanted to plan a trip to Great America," Jennifer explained, softly. "I don't exactly have enough money, though. I really think we can still have fun, though. My parents have a meeting to attend. If you'd really like, we can relax in the living room. We can just light up some incense, turn on a lava lamp, and play a tape of psychedelic rock."
"Actually, Jenn," Doc suggested, smiling, "I could loan you and Marty some money. I'll just give it to you, actually. You've both quite been so helpful, and it is almost Marty's birthday. I think you've simply earned it, and I still feel bad - for making Marty upset."
"Thank you so much, Doc," Marty gushed, happily. Turning to Jennifer, he added, "It'll be so much fun, won't it?" Jennifer nodded and smiled. "It's really a nice treat! We can still spend the evening at your house. I'll actually have something to look forward to."
"Well, Marty," Doc replied, warmly, "I hope that your concert goes well. I wish that I could watch you perform. You are quite talented. We'll be gone, though." Turning to Sabrina, he added, "I think that we should get out of here, Sabrina. Let's give Marty and Jennifer some time alone. I'm certainly glad that Marty is feeling much better."
Marty smiled, as Doc and Sabrina left the room. It felt very strange, as he thought of how he'd sure be giving the same concert performance. Of course, a few things were bound to be different. In a sense, he had some practice for tomorrow's performance.
His thoughts just turned to Thursday. For the second time in a row, he'd be going to Great America! The circumstances of the situation were a little different. Still, he felt real amazed. He sincerely hoped that Doc and his family would have a fun weekend.
"Are you feeling okay, Marty?" Jennifer asked, as she squeezed Marty's shoulders. "I can tell that you quite have a lot on your mind. If you're still upset about not going to Disneyland... Well, think of what all he's doing for us. He's giving us a very wonderful treat. Of course, he's also saving me a lot of mind. We should be thankful, Marty!"
"I am thankful," Marty replied, smiling. "I just have a... Well, I've had a very unusual experience. At Francesca's Italian Diner, I could explain everything to you. Let's just say that I had the strangest dream... a dream that seemed too real to be a dream."
"Well, I'm just happy that you're not upset," commented Jennifer. "I really felt so bad for you, even though I do understand that Doc... Well, he's entitled to do things with just the family. When you think about it, a family is a rather precious thing to have."
"I understand that you wouldn't exactly remember, Jenn," Marty explained, "as you never were a part of the timeline. It can be quite confusing, y'know. I mean, having multiple sets of memories can be... At any rate, I really haven't always had a happy family. Well, in a sense, I did. I mean, I did... and I didn't. It's real hard to explain."
"I do know what you're saying," Jennifer replied, softly. "You really should never think of your past in the current time as being... well, less real. I mean, those memories are the strongest, right?" Marty nodded. "Well, Marty, there you go! It's almost time..."
"You're right, Jenn," Marty replied, softly. "In this timeline, Doc has been more like an uncle to me. There's really sort of a dissonance, y'know... Well, enough about that. I am looking quite forward to the concert... and Thursday. Well, let's get out of here!"
As Marty and Jennifer left the bedroom, Marty thought of his experience. Even if Doc hadn't offered him and Jennifer the money for Great America, he really would still feel cheerful. He always felt pleased about spending the whole day with Jennifer. He sure realized that, after everything Doc has done for him, he wanted for Doc to be happy.
