You're staring.
You can't help it... It stands out like a sore thumb.
The vast variety of color in the mix of shaded grays and pitch-black ink...
You can see the pinks, blues, reds, and oranges... It's colored in by unsteady hands - marker by the looks of it.
Your husband has been home on leave for a bit, wanting to be home for the holidays with you and the kiddos.
It's the day before Christmas, and while most families wait till morning to let everyone open gifts, you and Alex couldn't wait till morning for these.
Your daughter is an artist, told you and Alex she wanted to color Santa a picture.
Your son loves coloring and had told you both that he wanted a paint easel.
There is an assortment of smells in the air, as morning stretches into afternoon.
You can smell Alex's coffee, mixed with his cologne...
You can smell breakfast, it's chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, eggs, and freshly cut fruits.
Yet, you can smell the hints of marker, of water and paint as your children have grown quiet and taken their presents to the living room to create masterpieces.
Alex can feel your eyes on him, as his takes a sip of his coffee.
He's standing in the kitchen with you, sweatpants hanging low and chest bare as he watches you watching him.
"See something you like, sweetheart?" He speaks into his coffee, giving you a mischievous look.
You shake yourself from your daze, "Your tattoos... Are very colorful."
He looks down at his arms, both sleeves are accented with every color under the sun.
"Yeah, peanut got a hold of her markers this morning while you were cooking and told me she wanted to make me look pretty... Said my tattoos were boring."
You couldn't help but laugh.
Alex gives a fake pout, "Thought I was already pretty."
You move from the island of the kitchen, wrapping your arms around his narrow waist, "I will say... These colors accent your arms very well Mr. Keller... Maybe later on after Santa visits, I can color them in myself."
"Mommy! Can I color in your tattoos next?" Your daughter runs into the kitchen, markers in hand.
Alex gives a deep belly laugh, "Hey mama, wanna match me?"
You stand on your tip toes, nipping at his ear lobe, "Absolutely."
