Five is the Magic Number

So this morning, I wake up to find that I have four cats surrounding me.  Otto is by my feet, holding on to my leg; Mister is by my side on the same side as Otto; Wanda has tucked herself under my underarm on my opposite side with her head on my chest; and Reggie is in the middle of the bed towards my feet, snoring happily.  Then Elroy jumps up with a few chirps of greeting, and the picture is complete.  He head-bunts Wanda a few times and then plops down right in front of her.  For a while, Wanda sniffs his backside, then decides that it is not so offensive that she can't turn his rump into a pillow.  So, she sleeps with her head on Elroy's rump until he changes positions, interrupting Wanda's slumber.

I was just getting ready to get up when all this transpired, but of course, now I couldn't.  Having all five buddies on the bed at once--and getting along--is such a rare occurrence that it's not unlike five planets aligning at once, on the same night as a full moon eclipse. 
 
So I just lay there for a while longer, enjoying the peace and the warmth of their five sweet little bodies.  Sean got up, and the buddies stayed with me.  I fully expected to lose at least one of them when he did, but they all seemed content to continue snoozing.  So we snoozed--several of us purring loudly.

Until downstairs, directly below us, I heard the tell-tale sound of the air-tight food container being opened, and two new bags of dry food being poured into it.  Up pricked ten little ears.  Then, the even more delightful sound of several little stainless steel food bowls being filled.  Now we had a dilemma--continuing to doze with Big Buddy Girl, or going downstairs for their third favorite food event of the month (after mush and shaky treats)?

Mister breaks the Circle of Snuggle first, standing up casually and stretching out his long back legs one by one.  Makes a big yawn.  Slowly and carefully jumps down from the bed.

Elroy, not to be left behind, also stands up and stretches mildly, then bounces off the bed towards the door. 

Wanda and Reggie get up simultaneously and leap off the bed joyously--the magical moment has already been broken anyway, right?

I look down at Otto and give him the go-ahead.  He seems more conflicted about leaving the nice warm bed than the others.  Finally, he gets up too, and heads for the door.  

It's just as well...we have a big day ahead anyway.  And a few minutes of magic are better than none!