I'm crying and weeping and throwing myself on the floor at your feet. This is so cute I can't handle it! Thank you so much!

"What about this one!?" Maddie exclaimed with glee as she stopped and pointed to another one right by her little feet, wide excited eyes looking up at Horatio. "It's really big!"

With a warm, tender smile that reached his eyes, he crouched down beside her and brushed aside a fallen leaf, revealing yet another chestnut hidden within its spiky shell. This one certainly bigger than all the others. "Wow." He started, sounding impressed. "Now that is a good one."

Maddie clapped her hands together with a giggle and crouched down, as well -- mirroring the tall policeman next to her. "Can I grab this one?"

"Go on. Just remember, the shells can feel a little sharp." They weren't sharp enough to cause damage, thankfully, but it could still cause some minor pain if handled without care.

She reached over and very gently picked up the conker, her face lighting up from holding it in her hand. She turned it every which way and then gasped.

For a second, Horatio worried she may have poked herself with it, but then he saw a look of wonder on her face. "I see the chestnut!" She beamed, showing him where the conker was cracked open just a little bit, but enough to reveal the smooth and glossy nut inside of it. "See!?"

Horatio chuckled. "I do." He nodded, his smile growing. Maddie's joy was utterly contagious and he hadn't stopped smiling since meeting up with both Maddie and Maria. Her mother was somewhere behind them, following along as her daughter happily pulled the 'policeman' with her on her search for conkers.

"Would you like to open this one?" He offered, her joy instant.

It's the spark in her eyes that he always notices first, especially when she sees something interesting or cool. Then comes her smile, one that's brighter than the sun itself, just like her mother's - her entire face lighting up. Laughter then fills the air around them, along with gasps of excitement and wonder and everything a child deserves to feel and experience. It's pure, uncomplicated and contagious and Horatio adores her.

It shows in the way he watches with that softness in his eyes and how happy he is to give her his full attention. How could he not? She was the one that invited him on their little walk through the park and given that he had some time to spare, he couldn't tell her no. He found himself really enjoying spending time with the both of them and every now and then he'd glance back at Maria with that smile of his, his heart fluttering each and every time. It isn't a faint smile either. It's filled with warmth and the glow of a man falling deeper than he intended.

"Is this right?" Maddie asked after placing the conker between her shoes.

He turned back to her and looked down, nodding. "Mmhm, exactly right. Now move your feet a little closer together so they're touching the sides," he watches her do just that. "Good. Now, push down with all your weight to open it."

With a deep breath, Maddie did just that. It rolled side to side against her feet at first so she readjusted to get it back in the middle and then did it again. The second time she almost slipped, making her giggle, but Horatio had caught her with both hands and helped steady her. Maddie grabbed hold of his hand for support and then tried again, using all of her might and strength until...

crack!

She gasped when the shell came apart, feeling the chestnut inside and letting go of Horatio's hand in favor of reaching down to grab it. Then she turned to him with a beaming smile while holding it up.

Horatio had the widest and proudest smile on his face and using his hands, he signed 'good job' to Maddie. It was something the Lieutenant was making an effort in doing more of, in learning, so he could communicate more with her, especially in times where she was more comfortable with it. She beamed at Horatio and was quick to give him a hug before she looked behind him and waved the free chestnut in the air, her other hand holding onto Horatio again.