1:00 PM PDT
Family Ties Universe
Alex and Ellen were having lunch at Guido's, as they were discussing the movie they saw yesterday.
"Say, wasn't that a great flick we saw, yesterday?" Alex asked, admiringly.
"Oh, for sure!" replied Ellen. "I thought it was really brave how Marty fought for the life of his best friend. I can tell that he was fiercely loyal to Doc."
"Yeah, it was very clever how he used a piece of a stove for a bullet proof vest," Alex said, admiringly. "I can imagine how hard it must have been for poor Marty to nearly lose his friend on a few occassion."
"I thought it was sad how Doc decided to spend the rest of his life in the Old West," Ellen remarked, "with his wife and children. How could he just abandon Marty like that? That just isn't right. I mean, Marty is his best friend."
"Now, Ellen," Alex asked, gently, "how do we know that Doc and his family decided to live out the rest of their lives in the Old West? I mean, they could have decided to return to 1985. Anyway, it would be safer for the space-time continuum for the family to have moved back to 1985 - since none of them, including Clara, really belonged in that time."
"I guess I haven't really thought about the space-time continuum," Ellen said, shrugging a little. "It just seemed like Doc only invented the time train to pick up Einstein and say good bye to Marty."
"They never actually said good bye, though, did they?" Alex asked. "Come on, let's give Doc more credit than that. You really think he would just abandon his friend like that? I'm sure he missed Marty very much, since he was stuck in the Old West for eight years."
"How do you know it was eight years that he was stuck in the Old West?" Ellen asked, confused. "He never said how long he was stuck back there."
"Oh, uh," stammered Alex, "I was just guessing. The point is, he was stuck in the Old West for quite a few years - so I'm sure he missed Marty terribly. I don't think he would have teased Marty by only seeing him for a few minutes, only to abandon him forever. I guess I'm just a firm believer in Doc and Marty forever."
"You talk about them like they're real people," Ellen said, laughing. "You do know that they're just fictional characters, right? I mean, Marty McFly doesn't really exist."
"Right, right, of course," stammered Alex. "I know that! I can tell fiction from reality. It's just that the movie was so good, I can't help but empathize with the characters. I mean, there's no telling what I would do if I was ever in the situation that Marty was in. He really went through a lot, you know?"
"I guess I see what you mean, Alex," Ellen said, smiling. "Anyway, we wouldn't really know - unless they, one day, release a Back to the Future Part Four. I don't think that will ever happen, though."
"Yeah, I guess what happens next can be left to the imagination," Alex said, smiling. He was so tempted to share his secret with Ellen, but he didn't dare. To the rest of his family, their visitor from two years ago was still known as Marty McCoy - and his sister, Jennifer, still had a crush on him.
Alex then thought fondly of his family. Mallory had really matured a lot, and she no longer had a mean streak as she had before - and she was actually civil towards Skippy Handleman. Granted, Skippy no longer had a crush on Mallory - as he was currently dating a girl named Violet Parsons. Skippy was also less socially awkward these days, and he had a job of doing comedy routines for children - which Andy loved.
Jennifer was about to graduate from high school, and she was selected to be the class valedictorian. She had plans to get a degree in psychology, not unlike the other Jennifer that Marty was dating.
As for Andy, he was growing up to be a fine young boy. He was very likeable, and all the kids in his class liked him. Alex was stunned to find out that the following season of Family Ties after Marty's visit had progressed Andy ahead by three years. Perhaps, there was an alternate reality where Andy had been born three years earlier. Of course, the idea of his family being the subject of a sitcom in another dimension was still a bit unsettling to Alex, but he didn't get all worked up over it.
"Are you okay, Alex?" Ellen asked, gently.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, Ellen," replied Alex. "I guess I was just deep in thought. I thinking about how I might get along with Marty McFly, if he was a real person. We obviously have different tastes in music and clothing - but, other than that, we seem to have some other stuff in common. We might get along great."
"Well, I'm not sure what his political views are," Ellen said. "Still, people can disagree on politics and get along, right?"
"Oh, absolutely," Alex said, smiling. "I know I do sometimes give the Democrats a hard time about their views - but it's all just in good fun. I mean, you can't take life too seriously, right?"
"You've got that right, Alex," Ellen replied, coyly. "You really like those stuffed shells, don't you? They're good, eh?"
"Oh, for sure," replied Alex. "I think I'm going to order some more. These can be so addictive, you know. I just love pasta. I don't like meat in it, though."
"Oh, going vegetarian, now?" Ellen asked, teasingly.
"Naa, I'm not a vegetarian," Alex said, smiling. "I like my serloin steak and my bacon cheeseburgers. I'm just not much for meat in my pasta."
"In that case, I agree with you," Ellen said, smiling. "You know, the only think Italian I don't care for is Italian sausage. I like Italian everything else, though."
"Say, I have an idea," said Alex. "How about let's plan a trip to Venice, Italy for our honeymoon? Does that sound nice and romantic?"
"That sounds like an awesome idea!" gushed Ellen. "I am so happy we're back together again. I really did miss you, you know?"
"Yeah, I missed you, too," Alex said, huskily. Then, he reached into his pocket to grab a small case. "Ellen, will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes!" shrieked Ellen, excitedly. "I would love to spend the rest of my life with you!"
Alex then grabbed for Ellen's right hand, while he slipped the engagement ring onto her ring finger. The two of them embraced. Ellen wept with joy, while Alex himself was a bit teary-eyed. It was a very happy moment for both of them.
"I love you, Alex," Ellen whispered. "You are such a sweet man."
"Thank you, Ellen," replied Alex. "You are such a precious woman. I really care the world about you."
"This time," Ellen whispered, "we are not going to let anything tear us apart."
"You've got that right," Alex whispered back.
Alex and Ellen were smiling at each other, as they gazed into each other's eyes. Alex's heart was bursting with joy, as this was such a happy moment for him.