I had this idea the other day, and decided to write it down. I hope you like it. :)

Told from Cornelius' perspective.

Year: 2032.

Cornelius (37) Franny (35) Wilbur (8)

My frustration was growing. I rubbed my temples in an attempt to think of something. It had been weeks since I'd thought of a new invention. I tried improvements to old inventions and fixing inventions I had given up on, but I couldn't think of anything. I just kept staring at the blank page. For the first time in my life, I didn't know where to start. Suddenly, I felt a gentle hand rest on my shoulder. I jumped and spun around in my chair only to find Franny standing behind me with a soft smile on her lips.

"Did you think of anything?" she asked. I shook my head dejectedly. Franny leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Don't worry. You'll think of something. Just… Keep moving forward,"

I grinned and kissed her on the forehead as well and turned back to my desk and began absentmindedly doodling on the sheet of paper; hoping and idea would strike me.

"Did you put Wilbur to bed?" I asked. I could almost see Franny raise an eyebrow and fold her arms across her chest at my question.

"Honey, it's almost midnight. Wilbur went to bed hours ago."

I glanced at the clock that read 11:51. That was probably why I was feeling so drowsy. I hadn't got much sleep the night before either.

"Well, why don't you come to bed and get some rest?" Franny suggested.

"I can't. I'm not going to bed until I think of something," I said stubbornly.

"You need your sleep. You'll think of something in the morning after you've had a good night's rest," Franny insisted. I sighed in resignation. She was probably right. Like always.

_

That night I tossed and turned in my sleep. My dreams were memories of my time traveling adventure when I was twelve. Everything about that trip replayed in my head. Even the parts that seemed a little fuzzy replayed as clear as day. But the one memory that stood out the most and kept replaying itself was of Wilbur telling me that his father invented the time machine.

"Your dad invented the time machine?!" I asked in complete awe.

"Yep. Five years ago, Dad wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and wants to build a time machine. So he starts working!"

I had done the math. Wilbur was about eight when I started the time machine. Wilbur eight now. Perhaps now was the time I'm supposed to start working. At the thought of the time machine, my mind began racing with ideas and my anticipation grew to start.

"That's it!" I exclaimed into the darkness, startling Franny out of her sleep.

"Huh? What? Cornelius, are you okay?" Franny asked sleepily.

"I'm great!" I exclaimed, rolling out of bed, slipping on my slippers and pulling on my robe. I began racing down the hallway to my lab. Before I reached the lab, I found Wilbur standing sleepily at his doorway.

"Dad?" he yawned. "What's going on?"

"I thought of something! An invention idea!" I called from inside the lab. I grabbed the piece of paper I used earlier for doodling and began sketching ideas out. Franny, Wilbur, and other newly awaken members of the family staggered into the lab behind me.

"What's your idea?" Franny asked. I held out the paper with a sloppily drawn sketch of a time machine. The entire family squinted and slightly tilted their heads to the side, trying to figure out what it was. Before anyone could ask, I stood up and announced,

"I'm going to build a time machine!"

-

Like it? Hate it? Review!! Please? I'm trying to decided if I should continue or just leave it. Tell me if you have any ideas! :)