But then he noticed someone had been watching them the whole time.
Nina had grown a bit since he last saw her. She now sat on the bed by herself, curiously watching them.
"Nina, what are you doing?" Dapper asked playfully, and she smiled brightly at him. He handed the flower to Mira.
"I got you this on the way. I didn't know what else to get, so I went with this," Dapper said.
"Oh my goodness! They're beautiful! No one's ever given me flowers before!" Mira gushed, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you so much!" She giggled and went to place them somewhere safe.
Dapper was happy she liked it, and then he picked up Nina, who was giggling nonstop. But then she blurted something unexpected.
"Papa!"
'Me? Papa?' Dapper felt a bit embarrassed, but he didn't say anything.
"Dapper! Mira called you Papa! She spoke! She actually spoke for the first time!" Mira exclaimed, bursting with joy and bouncing like she had just won the lottery.
