Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

July 4, 1885
8:50 PM PST

Emmett Lloyd Brown smiled, as he glanced up at the sky. He could hardly wait for the fireworks to start. While he never was the patriotic type of person, he rather figured that there was no harm in celebrating. It seemed quite hard to believe that he was in this era for just a little over half a year. This era became like a second home to him.

He did miss his old friend, Martin Seamus McFly - who he wished could be celebrating the occasion with him. He rather had no idea how long it would take for him to fix his time machine, but he did plan to meet his friend at the same moment that he left.

For now, though, he decided that it was best to relax and celebrate. After all, it was not as if his friend would miss him. He could hardly wait to see the fireworks. He sure enjoyed the fresh air, and he could not think of a better time period to be stuck in.

"Good evening, Mr. Brown!" called out a familiar voice. Emmett turned around, and he saw that it was Seamus McFly - along with his wife, Maggie. Baby William was sleeping in the latter's arms. "'Tis a nice day to celebrate the birth of this fine nation. I quite do miss Ireland, but I'm so happy that Mags and I chose to move here. How do you do?"

"I'm doing quite splendid," Emmett replied, cheerfully. "The only thing that could make this evening more complete would be if my friend was here. Well, I'm very happy that you showed up. I see that a lot of children here are excited to see the fireworks."

"Well, this will be Willie's first celebration," Seamus pointed out, smiling. "He is now two and a half months old. Sure seems he just yesterday, since Mags had brought him into the world. I sometimes wonder what he will be like, once he grows to become a man."

"You never know," Emmett replied, smiling. He figured that one of their children would go on to be Marty's ancestor, but he was uncertain of if William would be the one. "At the moment, though - he sure seems to be peaceful. It's best to live for the present."

"Howdy, Mr. and Mrs. McFly!" called out a little girl's voice. Emmett saw that she was none other than Jessica Parker. "Hey, Mr. Brown. Say, are you looking very forward to seeing the fireworks. I most certainly am. After all, they are so pretty to watch."

"That they are," Emmett replied, as he lifted up Jessica and swung her around. "I can see that you are very excited." Indeed, Emmett has grown quite fond of the girl, and he felt it a shame that he was not quite likely to have children of his own. "Now, don't drink too much lemonade - or else your face might turn as yellow as a bumblebee."

"Oh, Mr. Brown!" Jessica protested, laughing. "Do you think I would believe that." She then handed Emmett a pink tulip, as she added, "This is for you. Isn't it simply pretty?" Emmett nodded, as he pinched the little girl's right cheek. "I think you are wonderful!"

"Well, thank you," Emmett replied, softly. He then glanced at the stage, as he added, "Hey, I see Mayor Hubert up there. I do think the fireworks are just about to stark."

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mayor Hubert called out. "As mayor of Hill Valley, it gives me great pleasure to host this Independence Day Festival. Are you folks really ready for some fireworks?" Emmett, along with the others, cheered loudly. "Well, here we go!"

Emmett simply sat down on the blanket that he laid out, as he watched the fireworks being released in the sky. He smiled, as he marvelled at the wondrous sight. Indeed, he could not quite remember the last time that he actually enjoyed himself so much.

"Would you like a glass of champagne, Emmett?" Seamus asked, softly. "I could get all of us some. It's served next to the lemonade. Sure will be quite nice for a celebration, but nothing that's too strong. It'd sure be hard to enjoy the fireworks with whiskey."

Emmett just nodded, as he figured that champagne would be very harmless. Granted, he really was an alcohol drinker - but that was because of the very bad experience he had with whiskey. Once, in high school, Howard Needles had dared him to take a drink of whiskey. He had barely managed to take one sip, before he was out like a light.

He then watched Seamus walk toward the refreshment table, as he quite figured that champagne was a lot less strong than whiskey. He simply glanced at the fireworks, as he then watched it forming into two blue champagne glasses with green liquid and red stirrers - as if they were being used in a toast. Indeed, the sight was very beautiful.

"That sure was an astounding sight," Seamus remarked, as he rejoined the group. He then handed a glass of champagne to Emmett, as he added, "Aye, let's have a toast. We have been in this great country for six years. I do reckon it's worth celebrating!"

Emmett smiled, as he lifted up his champagne glass. He then clanked his against the of Seamus and Maggie's, and then he lifted it up to drink. He smiled, just as he started to take a sip. It tasted rather good. However, before he knew it, he simply found himself beginning to fade away. Before long, his consciousness completely slipped from him.

oooooooooo

"I think he's coming to," a familiar voice commented, as Emmett blinked. "I had no idea he would quite react that way to champagne. I didn't mean to hurt him. I just thought it would be a fun way to celebrate this special day. Sure am happy that he'll be fine."

"Great Scott!" Emmett gasped, as he looked up. He saw Seamus leaning over her. "I'm sure... I had no clue that champagne would do that to me. I only drank, once before - and than it was whiskey. I just thought I'd be able to handle weaker forms of liquor."

"I'm rather glad that you are all right," Chester, who was the bartender at the Palace Saloon, replied. He reached down to help lift up Emmett, as he added, "I'm sorry that you missed most of the fireworks." Emmett sat on a stool, as Chester added, "Here is a cup of coffee for you. Perhaps, that might help you to become a little more alert."

"Thank you so much, Ches," Emmett replied, as he managed a small smile. He turned to Seamus, as he added, "Well, Mr. McFly, I hope you don't feel as if you're at fault. After all, there was just no way you could tell that I... that I react badly to alcohol."

"I just feel bad for you," Seamus replied, softly. "Chester did offer to make you some wake-up juice, but I quite knew it was better to wait it out. Would you like me to walk you home? I don't mind helping you out. Anyway, I can't help but feel responsible..."

"Well, that sure would be hospitable of you," Emmett replied, softly. In several ways, Seamus did remind Emmett of Marty - and not just due to his appearances. "It's really not your fault, though. I thank you for taking care of me, though. I mean, I feel very embarrassed about what happened. I just wish I didn't have that... that condition."

"You couldn't help it, Mr. Brown," Seamus pointed out, gently. "I do feel as if you are a very efficient blacksmith. You really have been of great help to us - and I'm so glad that you decided to move to town. Me wife quite appreciates your services, as well."

"It does make me feel good to hear that, Mr. McFly," Emmett replied, warmly. Indeed, he did feel as if he had a reasonably close friendship with Marty's ancestor. "Say, how are you doing with those chocolate chunks? I can give you another pint, if you'd like."

"I would love that very much," Seamus replied, smiling. "It is getting quite late. I think I should start walking you home. I rather reckon that you ought to get plenty of rest. Sure is a good thing tomorrow is a Sunday, as it would actually be best for you take it easy. I'll be praying for you. Are you quite certain that you'll be all right, Mr. Brown?"

"I'm quite certain of it," Emmett replied, as he stepped up from the stool. "That said, I do appreciate your concern. I do feel quite exhausted, now that you've mentioned it. So, where is your wife and the baby? I really do hope that they're all doing all right."

"Oh, they'll be just fine," Seamus replied, as the duo stepped out of the saloon. "Ira Peabody simply offered to take them home. Me wife was also concerned about you. After church, if I don't see you there, I'll stop by your place - and see how you do."

"You certainly are a great friend, Mr. McFly," Emmett replied, softly. "Well, here is my blacksmith shop. Good thing it's not quite too far from the saloon. Anyway, I do know that I should avoid alcohol in all forms. I do think I quite would've been happy enough drinking lemonade." He opened the door to his shop, as he added, "Just come on in."

"As long as it's not hard lemonade," Seamus pointed out, gently. "That stuff does have alcohol in it, but I reckon that regular lemonade should not give you any adverse reactions. Now, I suggest that you avoid any heavy labour - at least, until Monday."

"That I can do," Emmett agreed, as he reached for his jars. He handed one of them to Seamus, as he added, "Here are your chocolate chunks. I certainly do hope you enjoy them. It's the least that I could do for you. I will now heed to your advice. I promise."

"I'm happy to hear that," Seamus replied, smiling. "Well, I think it's high time for me to get going. After all, I had promised me wife that I would be home before midnight. By the way, I do consider you to be a good friend - so, as such, I quite care about you." He then stepped outside, just as he called out, "You have a good night, Mr. Brown."

"That I will," Emmett called as, as the door shut behind Seamus. He then reached for his pajamas, as he muttered, "Gee, why did this have to happen to me? I rather was hoping that this would be a wonderful night. I guess alcohol and me just don't mix."

As Emmett changed out of his clothes, he started to ponder over what a good friend he had in Marty's ancestor. He really was not quite as close to Seamus, as he was to Marty - but it felt good to know that Seamus cared about him, and stood by his side.

He then crawled into bed, as he began to realize just how tired he was. He thought of what Seamus suggested to him, and he realized that he would really have to wait until Monday to continue working on his time machine. It might not make a major difference to Marty, of course. Still, while Emmett loved living in this era - he also missed Marty.