...The smile gave him pause. He hadn't expected to see that again so soon after their talk. The dog was more a miracle worker than Alex gave him credit for. The surprise is blatant on Alex's face.

ED-E rushes past him, zooming to beep at Dogmeat before moving around Neil to bounce him lightly in the back before zooming back out the door. Alex raises his eyebrows; shakes his head. "He certainly is," he quips dryly. The sight of ED-E had leached the surprise from his expression, and it's only with affection that he reaches out to touch Neil's cheek. "However long you like, Neil."

Something that means two things without Alex meaning to.

"Take your time adjusting. I'll be right here."