Downfall [h.s]

↞ Chapter 13 ↠

We got to Mack's house fifteen minutes later. The front door to her mansion was decked out in balloons and birthday decorations, and it looked like there was a party going on inside when, in reality, it was just the three of us and her parents here to celebrate. Usually she did have a party with the addition of dinner. This year, Mack just wanted a small dinner with just the people she loved most before we went out as the four of us. Her secret activity was just a dinner away and I was somewhat terrified.

When Tyler rang the doorbell, Mack's mom opened the door with a massive grin. She quickly ushered us in and closed the massive door behind us.

"Look at you three! You guys look so good!" she gushed. "Let me get a picture of you three before I take you to the kitchen!"

She did this every year. The boys and I would arrive for Mack's birthday dinner and she would take a picture of just the three of us before we ever even reached the kitchen. Once we got a good enough picture, she would take us into the living room to get a picture of all four of us by the fireplace. By the time we would get to eat dinner, we will already have had a mini photoshoot.

Asher and I put down the presents so that they were out of frame, and the three of us got together in front of the door. Even in my high heels, both guys were more than a foot taller than me so they had to crouch down so that we could all fit in the frame in a more cohesive way. The three of us smiled big as the flash went off and the picture was taken.

"Perfect!" She squealed. "Come on now, off to the living room."

Asher grabbed the present and the four of us made our way to the living room. Mack was already there, sitting on the couch scrolling through Instagram. When she heard us enter, she's got up from the couch and wrapped us in a wide hug.

"Happy birthday Mack!" We shouted in unison.

"Thank you guys!" She smiled brightly, as she pulled away from the group hug. "I'm so excited for after dinner! And don't start worrying too much, you guys are going to love it."

"I'm not so sure," Asher grumbled as Mack's mom ushered us in front of the fireplace for another picture.

Twenty minutes into our traditional photoshoot, Mack's dad called us in for dinner from the kitchen. Her mom reluctantly stopped her paparazzi tirade and released us to go eat. Mack took the seat next to her mom on the left side, with her dad at the head of the table and me and the boys on the other side. Though Mack's dad wasn't a professional cook like the twin's dad, he made one hell of a meal.

Our first course was french onion soup, Mack's favorite. After that, a roasted turkey with the most amazing stuffing I've ever eaten, baked potatoes, salad, and grilled vegetables. Desert would be saved for later when the four of us went out. But so that we could sing Mack happy birthday with her parents, she had a vanilla bean cupcake with a candle. By the time we were finished with everything, I was stuffed to the brim. The boys helped Mack's dad to clean up, while Mack and I went to the living room to relax while they worked. Last year Mack and I had done the cleaning, so this year it was their turn.