She beat him there, turning around once she reached the embankment to see which way he'd come from. That he'd followed her, come through the trees on her tail, so to speak, had her smiling proudly at him. She came over and picked a leaf out of his hair before she threw her arms around him for a hug. Squeezing him, she drew back, hands on his shoulders as she gave him a very pleased look. "Well done, Hal. That wasn't so bad, was it?"

He'd almost looked like he'd been enjoying himself, but she didn't want to jump too far ahead. He'd done it and that was the key. He'd smiled and she wouldn't rub it in his face. Little steps (or giant leaps) at a time.