Disclaimer: Neither of us own Back to the Future.

Author's Note: This story takes place in 1915, and involves Emmett and Marie Eastwood discussing their lives - and the era they grew up in. This was written by bttf4444.

October 21, 1915
4:29 PM PDT

Emmett Martin Eastwood smiled at his sister, Marie Jennifer Eastwood - as they were sitting across from each other at a picnic table in Hill Valley Park. It really was a warm and sunny day. He then scooped up some scrambled bacon-and-cheese eggs for the two of them, and poured two glasses of orange juice. The food smelled so delicious.

"Sometimes, it's still quite hard to believe that I'm eighteen," Marie commented, with a wistful sigh. "Granted, I am quite excited about marrying Oliver - and starting a family with him. Soon, I'll be Mrs. Von Braun. Marie Von Braun. I just like the way it sounds."

"Yeah, it's a nice German name," Emmett agreed, nodding. "I do wonder what it's like, living in Germany. I would simply love to travel around the world, someday. There are so many great place to see - and this world is a relatively peaceful place, nowadays."

"Well, we do have some tensions with Mexico," Marie pointed out, softly. "But I know just what you mean. We don't have as much bloodshed as we used to. We should be beyond the barbaric stage of war. I mean, there's really no real reason why so many lives should be lost - just because we can't be civil enough to handle our disputes..."

"... as mature adults," Emmett finished, quietly. "By the way, according to Dad, in the other timeline... the timeline that hecame from... Well, at this time, we would be involved in a major world war. I'm quite thankful that we were able to avert all that."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Marie replied, shuddering. "Otherwise, you might've ended up being... What is that word? Oh, yeah, 'drafted'. You might have been drafted into the war - and... and I might've spent all my days fretting about you, and if you would..."

"Please, Marie," Emmett interjected, as he placed his hands on his sister's arms. "Let's not think about that, okay? It isn't ourreality. So... let's talk about happy stuff."

"I suppose you're right, Emmett," Marie agreed, sighing. "So, anyway, what's been up you and Starla. I've really seen how the two of you can get. Her brother, Stu, is kinda cute - but... Well, he's no Oliver. Ever since Oliver's family moved to Hill Valley, I..."

"... had a big crush on him, I know," Emmett finished, smiling. With a smirk, he added, "Maybe, you just have a big thing for German accents - and that's why you like him."

"Hey, you knock that right off!" Marie protested, as she playfully slugged Emmett. "I'll be honest, and admit that I really love his accent - but that's not the only reason why I love him. I love him because he's very sweet - and he loves me the way that I am."

Emmett nodded, as he understood just what his sister meant. Many of the other boys would criticize her for acting "unladylike", as she always quite resented being told that there were things that only boys could do. She really found the attitude to be unfair.

"Yeah, you sure never did like dresses," Emmett replied, softly. "Anyway, I agree that Oliver is a very nice guy. Stu is also a great friend - and then, of course, there's Riley. It still seems strange to think of how we're actually related to him. At least, that would explain why we were always so close - and why we seemed to shame a special bond."

"And to think that I, once, had a crush on him," Marie commented, grimacing. "It quite doesn't seem right. He would be our... great-great-great-granduncle. I mean, he isn't our direct ancestor - but... Well, I still think that could actually qualify as... incest."

"You didn't quite know about it, at the time," Emmett pointed out, gently. "Anyway, it really can't be as bad as what Dad had endured - when he had his own mother hitting on him. And to think that our grandmother isn't even born, yet. It just seems so..."

"Yeah, it sure makes my head spin," Marie agreed, nodding. "I guess that really would explain why you simply look so much like William, Riley's older brother. Willie is also our great-great-grandfather. As for our great-grandfather, Artie - he's seven years old."

"Yeah, and he's best friends with John," Emmett replied. "Of course, John doesn't yet know about... our situation. I think it's so neat how we both became best friends with a McFly, even prior to learning about our... relationship... with them. I guess the fact that our entire families are friends could also have something to do with it, though."

"That's possible," Marie replied. "I've always loved having breakfast with the McFlys. I love Mr. McFly's pancakes. Of course, Mom also makes real good pancakes - since she makes blueberry pancakes. Still, there's just something about Mr. McFly's pancakes."

"I understand what you mean," Emmett agreed, softly. "Pancakes are his specialty. In fact, I've yet to hear anyone say anything negative about them. By the way, can you imagine what it would really be like... for us... if Dad never got stuck in the past?"

"Actually, he did mention travelling to the future," Marie explained. "In fact, I believe the year was 2015 - and he and Mom saw usthere. He didn't quite go into much detail, but those children might be... us. Y'know, I can't quite help but envy my other self. After all, she grew up in an era when it was more acceptable for women to..."

"... to do guy things, right?" Emmett asked, softly. Marie nodded. "Well, there's quite been a lot of progress made. It's more common, now, for women to wear pants - and women have much more job opportunities. Also, women now have the right to vote."

"Youngerwomen, at least," Marie commented. "I still can't quite imagine someone like... like Mrs. McFly... wearing pants. She always seemed to be so... so traditional."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Emmett agreed, nodding. "Anyway, I think we should go on a double date - someday soon. It'd be quite nice - if you, Oliver, Starla, and me could get together. Perhaps, we could eat out at Holt's Diner - or else we could..."

"That is a good idea, Emmett," Marie agreed, smiling. "I believe you and Starla make a great couple. I'm so glad that the Stebbs decided to move to Hill Valley. Starla really is a good friend, and we actually agree on so many issues - such as gender equality."

"I sure don't think in-law problems will exist in our family," Emmett commented, as he flashed a lopsided smile. "The Von Brauns are also wonderful people, and Herschel is going to become the father of... of the scientist that invented the time machine."

"Yeah, the scientist that you were named after," Marie pointed out, smiling. "I wonder what it's like to travel through time. I loved reading The Time Machine. I still remember when HG Wells stopped by Hill Valley. I think Dad's scientist friend would've been quite thrilled with that, had he remained in this era. That was his favourite author, right?"

"Actually, I think Jules Verne was his favourite author," Emmett corrected, "but I think HG Wells was his second favourite. Anyway, it's quite obvious just how much Dad was influenced by the other Emmett. Dad went on to become a great inventor, himself."

"Yeah, he and Thomas Edison were both very influential," Marie agreed, nodding. "It's simply interesting to think of how Dad managed to influence a lot. I mean, he's spoken a lot on social issues - as well as inventing a lot of stuff. Dad really is a famous man."

"Of course, not everyone appreciates Dad's politics," Emmett pointed out, shaking his head. "In fact, he's even encountered a few death threats - which is... quite scary."

"Yeah, especially in the South," Marie replied, softly. "Gee, this is something I'll never understand. What are some folks so adamantly against the concept of... equality?"

"I simply don't get it, either," Emmett agreed, sadly. "Of course, about half a century ago, slavery was abolished - and, as a result, some of the former slave owners really feel bitter about it. I mean, in Sunday school, we were taught to love everyone."

"And that we're all God's children," Marie added. "Well, I guess some people think that only white people count - but the Bible sure doesn't say anything about that, at all. In fact, it even states that there is no Jew or Greek... no male or female... that we're all one in Christ Jesus. So there is no reason to discriminate against non-white people."

"Yeah, that's very true," Emmett agreed, nodding. "On the positive side, we're making a lot of progress. After all, it is now illegal in California to discriminate based on race or sex. One day, all of those stupid discriminatory laws in the South will be abolished."

"I certainly hope so, Emmett," Marie replied, in a near whisper. "Well, anyway, do you think we'll ever be able to travel through time? I'd quite like to visit the 1980s, and see the era that Dad came from. Granted, in this timeline, it'll probably look real different."

"Most definitely," Emmett agreed. "Well, actually, I'd be afraid to time travel. After all, we sure know what happened to Dad - and... Well, there's also the whole messy issue of not creating a time paradox... and of not disrupting the space-time continuum."

"Yeah, I see what you mean," Marie replied, softly. "Although, when you think about it, we... Well, we're simply not supposed to be here. I mean, we're supposed to be a whole century in the future. I was supposed to be born in 1997, not 1897. That just... It feels odd to think that our great-grandfather, Arthur, is younger than us."

"Well, that's certainly mind-blowing," Emmett agreed, gently. "For now, how about we try to relax our minds - and enjoy the rest of our dinner? When we're done eating, we should then take a little walk. After all, there's nothing like nature to help us relax."

Emmett smiled, as his sister nodded. Indeed, they were in a very unusual situation. It was a situation that none of their friends would ever understand. In fact, it was quite the ultimate family secret. In essence, Emmett and Marie were children of the past