His fingers curled around her hand the moment she offered hers to him, a delicate gesture, but enough to show some of what he was feeling. If she had arrived alone, without his daughter in her care, he'd have made his way to her at a regular pace, and wrapped his arms around her in greeting. He'd have been composed, perhaps a bit cheeky, but he'd have made sure she knew he was glad for her presence. It was, after all, his new mantra in his life. To truly treasure those around him, since there wasn't any guarantee he'd see them even a moment later. He couldn't waste opportunities.
But, she had Helena, and that changed everything. He had been trying to come to terms with the possibility of never seeing her again. Of never knowing whether his family ever learned of her, unless someone from further down the line told him. Helena was here and he had Lily to thank for that. even if she didn't necessarily intend to do so.
When his sister dipped her head, he let his thumb stroke against her cheek for a brief moment, before he slowly pulled his hand back. He bounced Helena in his arms, giving her the happiest of an expression, as he shifted to take a seat beside Lily. Once by her side, he set Helena down upon his knee and wrapped his arm around his sister's shoulders, now giving her the squeeze of an embrace he'd have started with in any other situation. Hugs were rare from him but here it was, being offered.
Once he let go he tilted his head to watched her. "You fairing alright?" he asked quietly, eyes casting back to Helena, who was young enough to not be entirely off put by all this. Already she was shifting in his arms to lean against his chest and prep for a nap, though he had a feeling back home she was becoming a little too big for this to be a normal pose for them both. At the moment, however, he didn't care, and his attention went back to Lily.