Timeless Love [Back to the Future Fanfic]

Ch. 4 Restless Night

The rain continued to pour as Isabelle and Marty stood in the grand foyer of the Ellsworth Family Manor. The heavy droplets pelting against the windows echoed through the spacious, dimly lit hall. Despite the manor's age and the musty smell that filled the air, there was an undeniable elegance about the place—a sense of history and magnificence that had survived the passage of time.

"Well," Marty said, breaking the silence as he ran a hand through his damp hair, "I guess we should look around, see what we're dealing with."

Isabelle nodded, though her mind was still clouded with thoughts of Doc. She pushed them aside for the moment, focusing instead on the task. "Yeah, let's see what's here."

They began to explore the manor, walking through the hallways and peering into each room. The first door they opened revealed an extensive, wealthy library. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves filled with dusty old leather-bound books. Though it hadn't seen a fire in decades, a massive fireplace dominated one wall. The room had an air of wisdom as if it held secrets from the ages.

"This place is incredible," Marty murmured, his eyes wide as he looked around. "It's like something out of a movie."

They continued exploring, finding a grand dining room with an intricately carved wooden table large enough to seat a dozen people. The kitchen was old-fashioned, with a large stove and a farmhouse sink, but it was functional, and the cupboards were surprisingly well-stocked with canned goods and preserves.

The manor had six bedrooms in total, each with its own bathroom. Despite the need for some repairs—peeling wallpaper here, a cracked window there—the rooms were luxurious, with plush carpets, elegant furniture, and large, inviting beds.

Marty peeked into one of the guest rooms and whistled softly. "Man, this place is fancy. I can't believe it's been sitting here all this time."

Isabelle nodded though her thoughts were elsewhere. As they continued exploring, she couldn't shake the feeling that this manor, which belonged to her family, held more than just old furniture and dusty books. It connected to a past she barely knew that now seemed more important than ever.

Finally, they reached the master bedroom. It was the largest room in the house, with a massive four-poster bed draped in velvet curtains. The room had its own bathroom, complete with a clawfoot tub and a vanity that looked like it belonged in a museum. Isabelle stood in the doorway for a moment, taking it all in.

"I think I'll take this room," she said quietly.

Marty nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. It's your family's place, after all."

He chose one of the guest rooms for himself, a cozy room with a comfortable-looking bed and a small but functional bathroom. They both decided to take showers, needing to warm up after the cold, damp night they had endured.

As Isabelle stepped into the master bathroom and turned on the water, she found herself momentarily distracted by the luxury of it all. The water was warm, and the tiles were smooth under her feet. She let the heat soak into her bones, easing the tension that had built up over the past few hours.

When she finished, she found a closet filled with clothes that looked like they belonged to the 1950s. She chose a silky floral nightgown, the fabric soft and cool against her skin. It fit her perfectly as if it had been waiting for her all along.

Marty, too, found clothes in his closet—comfortable pajamas that suited the era. Once they were both changed, they met in the hallway, looking more like they belonged in this period than they had just hours ago.

"Guess we should get some sleep," Marty said, though his voice lacked its usual energy. The night's events had also taken their toll on him.

"Yeah," Isabelle replied, her voice equally subdued. "We'll figure out what to do in the morning."