That smirk looked strange on her features, an expression he wasn't used to seeing her wear, and he wondered at it for a moment. How could she be so comfortable with a man like Terence Higgs? A man who would be his new girlfriend a bleeding cabin for Christmas? A man who was loud with his thoughts and feelings? There was beauty in the little things, he thought, and he found them so much more meaningful than such extravagant gestures.
"Nine," he confirmed as he chuckled softly. It was a lot, he knew. "They are beautiful; a dramatic bunch too at times. And Kathryn's oldest will be starting Hogwarts this coming year, so it's been an adventure." His expression dimmed a bit at her speculation, though she wasn't wrong, and he glanced down at the feel of her hand on his arm. Without thinking, he lifted his other hand up to cover hers, almost holding it in place on his arm. He liked the weight of it there, and he smiled at her. "I did, yes, though it was a bit difficult as well. I always thought I'd have one or two of my own by now," he admitted, his eyes focused almost intently on hers.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked almost abruptly as the song shifted to something slow a sweet, the deep resounding tones from a cello filling the room.