Chocolate Deluxe with a side of Werewolf

Three. This One is for the Family Album

"Okay, Sweetie. Could you step a little forward? Perfect. Now, give me a bright, big smile!" 

"Mom, this is so unnecessary!" Emily protested, but her mother responded by taking more pictures on her cell phone. 

"Nonsense. Today is my baby's first date! I'm going to print the best one and put it in your high school album," her mom gushed with excitement. 

"Please don't," Emily begged. Her request went deaf to her Mom's ears. 

Emily's six-year-old sister, Olivia, giggled throughout the ordeal from the sofa adjacent to her big sister. "Emily is going out with a boy!" She sang loudly, jumping in her seat. 

"Did I hear the word 'boy,'" Emily's Dad asked, walking into the living room with a deep frown on his face. 

"Right on time," Emily's Mom rejoiced. "We're going to take a family photo to commemorate Em's first date!"

"Wait? How come I'm hearing about this only now?" Emily's Dad retorted, confused by the sudden news.  

Emily groaned, tempted to grab her purse and bolt for the door. Her only saving grace was that Dylan didn't come to pick her up. Otherwise, he'd fall trap to Miranda Seto's overly bubbly personality in combination with John Seto's scrutinizing interrogation skills. 

She regretted telling her mother about her date with Dylan, and she cursed her yappy mouth for spilling the news. 

"Liv, come here," Miranda cooed and then switched gears as she turned her body towards the direction of the stairs. "Matty! Come downstairs for a bit, please!" 

Olivia skipped over to the fireplace and jumped into John's arms, who happily scooped her up just as Matthew, Emily's thirteen-year-old brother, entered the room. He looked about the same height as Dylan. Emily momentarily wondered what her family would think if she did introduce the short boy who was responsible for her lack of sleep this past week. 

Matthew glanced at his family, warily. "What's going on?"

"We're taking a family photo in celebration of your sister's first date," Miranda repeated herself for her son's sake. 

Matthew frowned. "Why do I have to be involved?"

"Because you're apart of this family. Now, get over here," Miranda ushered hastily. 

Her brother obeyed reluctantly and walked over to the rest of his family. When his eyes met with Emily's, he snickered and mouthed 'loser.' 

Emily quickly glanced around to scan for any potential witnesses before she shoved her brother, causing him to stumble into the stone and tile fireplace that covered the entire height of the wall. 

Matthew retaliated instantly, shoving Emily back, except their Dad noticed. 

"Matthew, don't make me cut your gaming time," John warned and positioned himself right between the two siblings. 

Matthew's jaw dropped, annoyed that he was the only one caught. Emily snickered quietly to herself, enjoying her brother's reaction. 

"Okay, everyone! Smile and say date night!" Miranda instructed as she brought her phone up with her selfie stick. 

Olivia and Miranda smiled big for the camera. John's had a thin smile because he still couldn't process the fact that his eldest daughter was going out on a date with a boy. Both Matthew and Emily looked like they'd rather be anywhere, but in the living room taking the photo.

"Perfect!" Miranda rejoiced after she took over twenty pictures. "Now how about we take a quick video to send to Auntie Veronica, and Grandma and Grandpa!"