Traveler in Time
Prologue
Some things can never stay hidden. Some things have a life of their own, a spirit of their own, and a will that touches the sleeping minds of a thousand inventors, and explorers, and dreamers. Ages pass, lives come and go, but sooner or later, the story begins again.
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The wedding was beautiful.
The bride was resplendent in her white dress. Those who had never seen her in anything but jeans remarked on how radiant she looked, how perfectly beautiful and happy. The groom stood beside her, smiling thoughtfully. He looked somehow older. More patient. More still. Onlookers chalked it up to the smart tuxedo he wore, and the importance of the occasion.
The guests numbered over a hundred, some of them close family, others unknown relations who had somehow managed to get an invitation. The champagne flowed like water, or rather like champagne, which is much more popular than water under any circumstances. For this reason, the family of the groom, who had paid for the affair, had also hired inconspicuous young men with wheelbarrows to help remove besotted partygoers. There was food, and chocolate, and several kinds of cake. A live band played hits from the sixties, seventies, and eighties, and a few people were already dancing.
From his seat in the back, far away from the bustle of the reception, George McFly watched his son send his daughter-in-law across the dancefloor. He turned to his wife and smiled ruefully. The song being played was 'Johnny B. Goode'.
"I remember," Lorraine said. "When you and I danced to that."
"We did?"
"Don't you remember? The night we first kissed? That strange Klein boy was playing it on stage. Or something like it."
"That's right." George snapped his fingers. "The Fish Under the Sea Dance. Can't believe I forgot that."
"Enchantment Under the Sea. And I can't believe you did, either. How many times do you get to kiss the girl of your dreams and punch out the school bully, all in one night?" She chucked him playfully under the chin. "Bet you didn't forget that part."
"What, Biff? Ah, he was harmless. Just needed someone to stand up to him."
"That's what I love about you, dear. You always see the best in people."
"Easy for me.. I always see the best people." He kissed her. "I'm glad I got to kiss you...and...punching Biff was a nice perk, too."
"Some things are just meant to be."
"I am your density." George looked thoughtful. "Guess he was right."
"Who?"
"Klein. He told me you were my destiny. That's why I talked to you in the first place. That and this really weird dream..."
"What was it about?"
"It's not important."
They watched their son dance.
"He looks older," Lorraine said. "More mature, I mean."
George nodded. "I think he's finally grown up."
"Finally?"
"Well..." They both looked over at the champagne table, where Biff Tannen was talking at a young woman. He was listing noticebly to port.
"...I think it takes some people a while."
The couple danced and spun and kissed like only young lovers can...and in the darkness behind the stage, a silent figure watched, and waited.