Theodore, though he'd had some of the brie, felt himself grow almost ravenously hungry as the smell of the steak he'd ordered hit his nose, and he was measured, but certainly eager, as he reached for his knife and fork. "You'll make it there, someday," he assured Hugh. They'd talked about it a couple times and if nothing else, Theodore knew he could help with that sort of trip. He knew Hugh would certainly be pleasant enough to travel with.
He paused to take a bite of his food, and he had to agree with Hugh's assessment. It had been worth coming here, had been worth waiting through the play to eat, even. "Ah, well, since I was somewhat...ancillary to Jamie's career, for a time - he was the professional and I was the...hm. Professional amateur, I suppose?" He'd never had the full training. "I would stay home with Elaine while he was gone. But, we were comfortable, he didn't have to work all the time and he'd often cut his trips short. It was hard for both of us, the separation, and he didn't want to miss out on Elaine's growing up. Sometimes I'd take her to see him, but it wasn't like how it became, later." So yes, he'd been through all of it - and had borne the brunt of, for that matter - everything from teething to poopy diapers. He had no regrets. "And while that's kind of you to say, I think in reality, we were just blessed with a perfect daughter." Okay, nobody was perfect, but try telling Theodore that, even when Elaine was actively displaying her flaws. His smile seemed to convey that, like the 'I know, I'm ridiculous, but what am I going to do?'