And notice she does. It's yet another similarity, though she will also attribute that perfectionist tendency in part to a sense of control, both of which Helen herself shares. She settles on the blanket and waits patiently while he unpacks the bag and prepares the tea, graciously accepting what he offers. A long time has passed since she's done anything like this with anyone and she finds that she's enjoying this more than she thought she might.
"This is wonderful," she admits, her voice soft and yet full of emotion. After her explanation about John and the fiasco with the pictures and then their admission of feelings directly following that and now her request today, she has to admit that it is nice to just sit down and enjoy spending time with Jean-Luc. "I don't often have a chance to enjoy the quiet. Normally I don't allow myself much time to relax, as I can't stand being idle. But this reminds me in part of my villa in Italy. It was nice to spend an extended weekend there, though I didn't go very often."
Once every seven years for an extended weekend. That was all the vacation she could ever stand. Having so much free time here is driving her crazy little by little, so even something small like this is appreciated. It gets her out and about more than she would be otherwise.