He let her nestle close, stroking her hair as she did so. His own girls wouldn't be quite her age just yet, but no doubt as lively and as infectiously cheerful, or so he'd hoped.

"Having a blast," he replied with a nod, although not quite true, it was very close. Just being out of his office and not having to deal with some other medical emergency was blessing enough. "Well, maybe not a blast, but definitely a good time."