Valentine watched as Dock turned her gaze to the scene around them, and he was pleased as a smile flashed across her face. It was good to stop a moment and appreciate the world around you – to really breathe it in and acknowledge it for a second. He liked to do it sometimes, and he liked to see others do it too. He grinned at the surprise in Dock’s voice, pleased to hear the happiness in her tone as well. Valentine certainly enjoyed spending time with his new companion, and it meant a lot to him to think that she enjoyed talking to him as well. At her agreement to a visit, he smiled even wider. And yet her uncertain timidity followed the confidence of her ‘yes’. Valentine shook his head at her question, and blew a mock sigh through his pale nostrils. “Of course you wouldn’t,” he assured her as firmly as he could manage. “I just invited you didn’t I? Believe it or not, Dock, I actually like talking to you.” He chuckled, the sound a low, deep rumble in his chest, trying to ease her worries again as he watched for her reaction. For a moment he paused, considering his words carefully before he spoke them. He wanted to ask the question that was the elephant in the room, but he wanted to be tactful. Valentine didn’t want to upset Dock or scare her away by probing too far or too harshly, but he knew that they would soon drift into uncomfortable awkwardness if he said nothing at all. “You can even bring the little one too,” he added as casually as he could manage, nodding at her belly with what he hoped was a small, encouraging smile. |