Another soft laugh...followed by a fond, sweet smile.

"...I hadn't laughed in a long time, before coming here. Not really. It...feels good, to laugh again." The comment makes him think a bit, and he draws up the hand with the ring on it, kissing at Herbert's knuckles before speaking.

"I feel the same way, Engel. It's...all like a dream. I worry I'm going to wake up, sometimes, but...I know this is real. Nothing could be more real."

A glance down to the ring.

"It's funny you should mention a tree, you know. I bet you could guess where I found that."