𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 & 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦, 𝐦. 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨

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"matt you've seen these people a gazillion times before, you have nothing to be scared of," chris reassured his brother as he noticed the panicked look on his face from outside the car.

"well yeah but i haven't seen them in ages. i broke up with their fucking daughter, what if they hate me?" matt retorted with a small groan of frustration as he threw his hands in the air.

nick rolled his eyes, "i don't think you invite people to your house if you hate them idiot."

matt nodded his head, that was indeed a valid point. that eased his nerves significantly. with a little more reassurance, he opened the car door and sat down in front of the wheel as chris and nick too, took their respective seats.

the drive to the address hope had provided wasn't too bad and for the most part, it was captured in comfortable silence. the music played in intervals and went back and forth between loud and quiet melodies. it was a rather relaxing drive, even if matt's self-assurance was lowering the closer they got to their destination.

when they stepped out of the car, matt almost went back in and drove home. nick grabbed one arm and chris grabbed the other and they dragged him to the door of the dalton's new house.

from the outside, the house looked really beautiful. the window ledges were painted in a dark grey and the door matched the colour perfectly. the nets on the inside of the windows had floral patterns on them and there was a few bushes and flowers scattered around the front yard.

"matt you're fine, you got this," nick encouraged matt and rubbed his back lightly, as if to further comfort him.

chris nodded his head at nick's words before he began to say some of his own, "don't stress yourself out, the dalton's love you."

matt gave them gentle looks and inhaled deeply one last time before he walked closer to the door. his finger tapped the bell and it sounded a little loudly before the noise faded out. they waited a little under a minute before someone greeted them at the door. they were all semi-thankful hope had opened the door, giving them a little extra time to make sure they were prepared.

the triplets trailed after hope who made her way to the dining room and it was at that moment, that matt saw her parents through the kitchen door. the little glass rectangles on the top and bottom didn't leave a lot of space for looking through but it was enough to make out who was on the other side. it was in that moment that he actually registered what was going on. he was seeing his ex girlfriend's parents after months and months. he inhaled sharply yet again, missing the curious look hope shared with nick who feigned confusion as he shrugged his shoulders.

"they'll come out in a bit. i think my mum was finishing the meal," hope commented as she sat down on one of the chairs that surrounded the table, gesturing for the others to sit too.

"nice house," chris laughed.

"thanks chris," she shook her head with a giggle and before she could even get out another word, the kitchen door opened and closed.

a little bit? matt internally groaned at the irony. hope was sure she heard matt mumble something to himself under his breath. nick and chris gave him reassuring looks and smiled at hope's parents.

"oh my god! isn't this lovely? i never thought i'd see you boys in my house again but here we are," hope's mother, selena, beamed as she placed some dishes on the table.

she turned to face matt and her face softened even further. she rushed over to him and pulled him into a firm hug before pulling the other boys into hugs too. the look on her face was so pure and she looked like there was no other place she'd rather be and no other people she'd rather be around.