#emmett 10000000% has anxiety poor little guy but it's okay he has the best support system in the whole wide world

[timechange]

MCFLY JULY ‘24 — babysitter.

MARCH 21, 2003

“Uh, you guys know the drill,” Marty says, looking at @doctorbrown as he rubs the back of his neck, still feeling more than a little awkward about this role reversal even five years down the line. “Make yourselves at home, help yourselves to anything, and we should be back late tonight.”

“I left the number for the venue on the counter,” Jennifer adds, fixing her earring, “and you have my cell if anything happens.” 

“Are you comin’ back?” Emmett asks in a small voice, wide-eyed and melancholy. Marty isn’t sure he believes in karmic retribution, but he doesn’t know what else could explain why his son has been saddled with the worst case of existential dread he’s ever seen at the ripe old age of four. It had to be the universe trying to get him back for permanently screwing up the timeline, right?

“Oh, honey, of course we are,” Jennifer soothes, leaning down to press a kiss to his perfect head. 

“You won’t even know we’re gone, Emmy,” Marty reassures, “you and Ellie are gonna have a ton of fun with Auntie Clara and Uncle Doc.”

“I will know,” Emmett retaliates and Marty’s reminded why they named him that in the first place. “I’ll miss you.”

“Aw, buddy,” Marty scoops him up and rests him on his hip, kissing his cheek, “I’ll miss you too.” He looks to Jennifer, reluctant. “I dunno, Jen, maybe we should stay home–”

“Marty, it’s your big night,” she protests. “You’ve been looking forward to this for weeks!”

“Yeah, but–” 

“Uncle Doc, Uncle Doc, Uncle Doc!” 

“Woah, Ellie, be careful!” Despite her dad’s words, Ellie comes tearing down the stairs anyway, holding as many stuffed animals as she can possibly carry. She looks over the admittedly impressive pile, beaming at her very favorite aunt and uncle and bouncing on her heels. 

“Look! Can we play now? Auntie Clara, can we, can we?” She tosses a glance over her shoulder at her parents, perfect eyes sparkling. “Bye Mommy, bye Daddy, I love you!” 

Marty and Jennifer look at each other and laugh, Marty setting Emmett down carefully. The little boy immediately attaches himself to Doc, holding onto his legs.

“Guess that’s our cue,” Marty shrugs. “Bye, guys. Have fun, okay? I love you.”

“We love you so much,” Jennifer agrees, kissing both their heads before heading for the door, hand in hand with Marty. Emmett gives a small wave.

“Bye,” he murmurs softly, pressing closer to Doc as he watches his parents go, “love you.”