Page 62 of Their Little Foursome

Gordon was trying to think of a way to suggest to Blake that a trophy that special deserved a very secret lair, preferably one far away from his Daddy, when Beverly’s elbow dug into his ribs.

“You can breathe,” she whispered. “That stays in the trophy case but now it will also carry a part of our Little boy.”

“How lovely, we can admire it daily,” Gordon said with only a slight hint of sarcasm. He’d seen a trophy case against the wall in the Littles’ Wing, though this trophy hadn’t yet been on one of the shelves. He supposed it had been removed to be inscribed with the current year’s recipient.

“Blake, your name now joins those of other Littles who have shared this moment before you. You are truly a talent and I’m extremely proud to know you,” Nanny J said.

“Thank you.” Blake moved, not to take the trophy, but to hug the woman who Gordon knew was really a softie at heart… sort of like her friend Nurse MacIntosh. The camera miraculously appeared and a photo was taken with Blake now holding the trophy where his name was the most current on the long list engraved on one of the bat’s wings, the date on the other.

Moses shook Blake’s hand.

“What’s he saying, Daddy?” Lori asked as Moses started signing.

“He’s saying he thinks Blake is an even better artist than Leonardo da Vinci.”

“Well, of course he is, he’s my big bro… whoooaaa…” Lori drew out the word as Miss Price and Gavin entered the circle. Gavin was holding a giant pumpkin. “I hope that pumpkin is full of candy,” Lori whisper-shouted.

“Blake, I’m so proud of you,” Miss Price said. “On behalf of all the teachers, Littles, Bigs, submissives, and…”

“Don’t forget the animals!” Though no one turned to see who’d spoken, Gordon learned there was no need.

“Don’t think I don’t recognize that voice, Reese Flint,” Nanny J said, which drew another long, “Whoooaaa” from the Littles as Moses took both her arm and the trophy away to make room for the new presenters.

The preschool teacher smiled warmly at Blake. “Please accept this as a token of our appreciation to have such a talented artist and one of the most loving Little boys we’ve ever known. We are so happy you are a part of our Ranch.”

Gordon had to grab hold of the back of Lori’s pink cape to keep her from face planting as she strained to see what the pumpkin contained when Blake lifted the top off.

“Oh wow, thank you,” he said, the pleasure obvious in his tone and the hugs he gave both teachers, the pumpkin making it a bit awkward but no less heartfelt.

When the camera was lifted again, Lori’s, “That’s not candy,” had Gordon chuckle.

“It is to your brother,” Beverly said as Blake held up only a small portion of the art supplies the pumpkin held.

Once it was Derek’s turn again, his smile took in everyone in the room. “On behalf of those who have come to Rawhide Ranch, be they two-legged or four?—”

“Feathered or furry.” When heads turned to find the one brave enough to interrupt Master Derek, Gordon was surprised to see it wasn’t any Little. This man wasn’t a Musketeer but was definitely a cowboy. He grinned as shrugged. “Figured if myLittle girl is brave enough to mention her babies, well, what’s a Daddy to do but support her.”

“Duly noted, and, Reese, darlin, consider your sentence commuted,” Derek said.

“Thank you, Master Derek, and Blake, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to butt in.”

“That’s okay, Reese, we wouldn’t be a Ranch without all the animals,” Blake said. His remark was echoed by the Littles until Derek cleared his throat, drawing their attention again.

“This is meant for not only Blake, but all four of you. You’ve followed the path of others who’ve found the same dream you, Gordon, Beverly, Lori and Blake have discovered. We all want to say welcome and to remind you, that F does not stand for failure, it stands for…”

“Family Forever!”

Gordon felt the promise as he looked at the faces in the circle with him as dozens of voices called out the two words that meant… everything. He drew Beverly to him, swiping a thumb across her cheek to wipe a tear away.

“This is all so sweet and I’m really, really glad we are now a family of about a million,” Lori said, her hands planted on her hips, “but seriously, where’s the mummy dogs?”

The End

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