And, now you can open your eyes?
Wow...your DeLorean bed arrived. So, this is what we all got you for your birthday gift?
It certainly is. You could say this puts a new spin on bedtime.
Great, and with puns included. It's official, you've gone full nerd.
Shush, your pretty mouth. You like it. I can see you do behind whatever that expression is you're trying to make. Come on, be honest. It's exactly what you expected when you said I could get whatever I wanted for my fortieth.
Yeah, I rolled over way too easily, it seems, this Back to Your Birthday day.
Ouch!
I'm only kidding. You're right. I was expecting something this extreme. But it's still temporary as we agreed. We'll sleep down here this whole weekend for your birthday, and then we return to normal life. Come Monday, we leave the DeLorean down here in your manhole.
Cave, sweetie.
Mancave, whatever it's called. It's not relocating anywhere upstairs, right? Like you promised.
Yes, yes. Like I promised.
Martin and Laurie finished tucking the not-so-futuristic 2015 sheets into the bedframe and gave the 1955-style pillows a final fluff. The only thing left to finish the room for the annual Back to the Future binge-watch was to set up the projector. Martin started watching the beloved three films in one sitting back when he was a kid. His grandfather, who called him "Marty" the day he was born, purchased all three of the movies for his tenth birthday. He's been rewatching them every October 21st since. After meeting Laurie, his wife, and after the birth of their two kids, Steven and Maggie, the whole family adopted the tradition. Sadly, now it's without Martin's grandfather, who passed away a few years ago. For Martin and his family, his birthday had not only become a celebration of his life, but they also treated it as a memorial to the life of a wonderful man. The best grandfather and great-grandfather ever, who created a good vibe ritual based on his love for his grandson, his family, and all of their shared passion for the time-travelling stories of Marty McFly, Doc Brown, Biff Tannen, and the rest of the Back to the Future universe. Finishing off her side of the bed, Laurie takes a few steps back for a full-scale look.
You know, sweetie. I'm starting to like it the more I look at it. It's very... 80's time capsule-ish. I love this for you. Happy Birthday, babe. I knew as soon as these things existed, you'd have one. On your fortieth birthday, no less. That's a rare coincidence, much like predicting lightning would strike twice.
Wait... I see what you did there. Come here, you. Now, that's the girl I married. I know you tell everyone it's my incredible good looks, but I know it's your love for the aforementioned inner nerd that sealed the deal for me.
Martin grabs Laurie by her waist and pulls her in tight to his.
I mean it, Laurs... thank you. This makes the significance of today a hundred times more special. If Pop were here right now, he'd be shaking his head and laughing. Then, push us out of the way and into the middle. He would absolutely love it just as much as I do.
He would, wouldn't he? He loved spending that time with you. Alright, let's finish the rest.
I'm fine dealing with the projector stuff down here. You can go upstairs and get what we need for the food we ordered. The app says it's close to being on the way. Where are Steven and Maggie?
Steven's next door with Kevin. They are working on a science project together. Maggie had dance and should be dropped off by Cassy's dad. Both know what today is, and both were also reminded this morning before school.
And their reception to our plans?
Steven is just as excited as always. That kid is your clone, Martin. Maggie's sixteen next month and you know how she's drifting. She did promise me she'd be here after some convincing.
Really...she now needs convincing? I'm not sure she likes me anymore.
Don't be silly, no sixteen-year-old likes their Dad. It's a phase, trust me.
I can't remember the last time we had a conversation. Her room door is always closed, she's mute in the car, and she has me dropping her a block away from school and her practices.
She'll come around; she's a young girl becoming a woman. We've all been there. Now back to being happy.
Yeah, you're probably right. Anyway, I'll take what I can get. OK, what time is it?
Almost 8:00.
And you told the kids 8:15 with a movie start time of 8:25?
I did this morning, just before the earbuds went in. I even followed up with a midday text.
Martin used that update as an opportunity, before Laurie left the room, to slide in under his wife's chin, aiming right for her neck. With a subtle nibbling tease, he walked a kiss the whole way up to her exposed left earlobe. Her weak spot. She quivers from the soft, short breaths of her very, very happy husband's warm lips. She can't help but close her eyes, fading into the moment. By his touch. She only snaps back after Martin's failed covert pop of the second button of her blouse. The top one was already undone, which entranced Martin in the first place.
Now, Marty... no, no, no. Stop that. I said 8:15, but the kids could be home any minute. So, save all that revving the engine for the future, Mr. Calvin Klein. You know what happens when we get up past 88 miles an hour.