Each piece of heavy, ivory cardstock lay perfectly placed across the table. Around each a silvery bow had been tied. Painstakingly sketched was each member of the household, the hand light, the shadowing deftly done and each captured the person in an unaware moment. Each captured the person as Nathaniel saw them. Even the animals.
The kittens ready to pounce the tiny horse. Riddle atop the mantle, leaning way over while his smaller counterpart wriggled her butt to distract the small steed.
Murgatroyd in the field the night Nathaniel had told Sir about Ray, the huge,w inged mount standing over Sir, protecting the leopard.
Madam, otherwise known as Hips to some, in the hallway of her building on her birthday, looking tousled and harried and completely happy.
Ma'am, Sir's Lady, kneeling, looking down upon someone. Her head cocked to one side, smiling as she offered her hand. In life, a moment later, Nathaniel had been clinging to her, the solace she gave making him smile even as he gazed on the picture.
Madeline, the sketch done to show the room behind her, through her. A small ghost with more responsibility than Nathaniel could ever handle. Their den mother. His best friend. Carrying a tea tray and barely making it without sinking into the floor, legs just started to disappear in the picture.
Lee laying on the bed, curled against a pillow that still bore the impression of another having slept there.
Then Sir. Instead of one, there was a series of sketchs. Sir with kittens using him as a jungle gym. Sir sitting on the floor, back to the kitchen cabinet and glass in hand. Sir smirking. Sir with head bowed, deep in thought.
And one that showed him and Ma'am. Just ready to kiss, hovering so close to one another and, somehow, the love in their eyes seeming to radiate from the picture.