3:30 PM PST
Doc and Clara - along with Marty, Jennifer, and both Havens - were in the park, having a barbecue. Teen Haven had really enjoyed being able to hold her baby self. They were having cheeseburgers and potato chips, with Pepsi. They also had Lionel Ritchie playing on the stereo, as Clara felt that louder music might disturb baby Haven.
'This was a great cook-out, Dad,' remarked Haven. 'I love the way you grill hamburgers. These are even better than the burgers they serve at Burger King.'
'Thank you, my dear daughter,' Doc said, smiling. 'The irony of those whole situation is, before I landed in the Old West and met your mom, my culinary skills weren't the best. Having a family can really do wonders to you.'
'I bet you were real lonely before you met mom, eh?' asked Haven.
'Well, it wasn't all bad,' Doc said, smiling. 'I've had a few friends, as well as friendly aquaintences. Back when I taught elementary school, the kids all liked me. For some reason, I've always felt that I could better relate to small children - than I could relate to other adults. It's amazing how much more receptive and open-minded small children can be, than many adults are. Because I deviate from certain social norms, many adults tend to think I'm crazy. I've learned not to let what other people think of me bother me, though. Besides, I've never been much for big crowds.'
'I understand what you mean, Dad,' Haven said, softly. 'I tend to rather shy around people I barely know. Big crowds do tend to make me nervous. I tend to fear that other people may not like me. I have to admit that I'm real sensitive to criticism.'
'I'm also quite sensitive to criticism,' Marty said, quietly. 'However, I also happen to be very sociable - and I try to be friendly to everyone. Things like teasing, ridicule, and bullying has always bothered me. I have a really tough time understanding why some of our peers can be so cruel - almost like they get off on making other people feel unhappy. I just don't get it.'
'I think a lot of it has to do with their own insecurities,' Jennifer suggested. 'People who feel the need to ridicule other people are usually insecure people themselves - so they put other people down to make themselves feel better. It's like a vicious cycle. People who abuse others have often been abused themselves. That why I don't agree with spanking children. Spanking does often lead to violence.'
'I have always been opposed to spanking,' remarked Clara, 'which was kind of a rare position to take in the era that I grew up in. I grew up in a society that was very pro-spanking. A lot of what would constitute child abuse in this day and age was considered very acceptable in my era. I always roll my eyes whenever I hear people talking about how things were so much better back in the 'good old days'. Now, don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things I like about the era I grew up in. Life wasn't as fast-paced back then, and there weren't any problems with pollution. However, a lot of things have improved. There have always been violence and immorality. It's just that society is more open about those things nowadays. People in today's society are more open and honest. There have also been a lot of medical advances made, to prolong life spans a bit.'
'I can tell that you've really come to like this era a lot,' Marty said, smiling.
'The ironic thing is,' Clara said, smiling, 'I was considered 'progressive' by 19th Century standards - but, in many ways, I'm considered 'conservative' by modern standards. It is funny how things haved change so much within the last century. I do sometimes miss the old frontier life of the 19th Century - but I really enjoy the modern conveniences that this era has to offer.'
'You know,' Haven remarked, 'It's amazing how much 1986 is just like 2004. We may have more technology in 2004, and the pop culture is a bit different - but the standard of living really has not changed much at all. Come 1986 to 1968, though - and we can probably come up with more differences there.'
'Don't tell us too much about the future, okay?' Doc said, smiling. 'I know I've been to the future a few times, but still...'
'Well, it's been nice spending the week with you guys,' Haven commented. 'It's been real educational, in fact. I enjoyed being able to witness my own birth. I wish I could stay here a little longer - but I understand that spending too much time in your past can be real risky to the space-time continuum. So I should probably return to 2004, soon.'
'Have a safe trip back, sweetie,' Clara said, as she hugged Haven. 'I guess I'll see you again in 18 years.'
'No, I'll still be here,' Haven said, smiling. 'In fact, I'm lying down there in the stroller right now.'
'Well, you know what I mean,' Clara said, laughing.
'Of course, Mom,' replied Haven, with a little chuckle.
'So, see you in the future, Haven,' Doc said, throwing his arms around Haven.
'Or in the past,' Haven teased, as she returned Doc's hug.
Then Haven went to embrace Marty and Jennifer.
'It was nice meeting you, Haven,' Marty said, giving Haven a tight squeeze.
'You've been a great friend to me, Marty,' Haven replied, smiling.
'It's been a real pleasure spending the week with you,' Jennifer gushed.
'Yeah, same to you,' Haven said, smiling. 'I wish we had more teens like you and Marty in 2004.'
Haven then stepped into the DeLorean, and the others stood back to watch the DeLorean fly up into the air, then break the time barrier. Then baby Haven started to cry. Clara lifted her up, and began to rock her.
Doc turned to Clara, and said, 'It's hard to believe that our little baby girl will one day become the young woman who just visited us, eh?'
'Let's not think about her being 18 already,' Clara said, quietly. 'She's not even day old, yet - so let's not be in such a hurry for her to grow up.'
'Right, honey,' whispered Doc, 'of course we'll savour every moment of our time with Haven, as well as Jules and Verne. We have three precious children, now.'
'Yeap,' replied Clara, smiling, 'little Haven Martina Brown is the newest member of our family.' Then Clara tenderly kissed the forehead of little Haven.