Watching Mortimer's face change as he absorbed what she had said was quite certainly taking a hold of Yejide's nerves. In the quiet all she could hear was her breathing and the sounds of the nature that took it's place within the night. Crickets, cicadas, bats, the trickle of water and the swaying of leaves and branches in the night breeze. She wants to speak- to down out the sound of her breathing that shudders in her chest with emotion and worry over his reaction. But- she knows to wait, patience is key and she knows Mortimer will not just turn and storm away without giving her an answer first.

Holding a poised smile on her face she can feel the relief at his words flood her chest, that there was a trust from him to her. Inhaling Yejide felt a bit emotional and blinked away a few tears. Crying from happiness and relief would always be more preferred than fear or sadness. It felt good to be feeling as she was, it was good to feel something other than loneliness, yearning for her daughter, and that on edge feeling of being alone in a large city and surrounding town. Honestly Mortimer was the only person she knew, aside from a brief interaction with a strange boy, but he was her dearest friend. He had known her since she was so young and unaware of what was happening in the world around her, when she had only feared one person in her life, and when she had rarely been out of her family's sight. Although that was about to change, not that she minded Ezra.

"Thank you." She's quiet but her voice is level and sincere, she appreciates him not mocking her despite his teasing voice. He's easing the moment that was so serious between them, one which had made her open that he cared for her as she did for him. Lifting her head slightly and raising one eyebrow she gave him back some of that teasing playfulness, "you aren't going to push me in, right?" Reaching her hand out she placed her warm hand into his cool one with ease.

Out of habit with her daughter and siblings she laced her fingers with his absentmindedly, keeping her pace with his as they ventured off onto a different path. Looking up at the stars that weren't hidden by the suburban lights Yejide could still feel that vibration beneath her skin, that feeling that she still wasn't completely whole just yet. Flicking her eyes to the muscles in Mortimer's other hand that tensed under the pressure of... what? The night? Their conversation? Something else entirely? She looked at him with some concern but knew he was a proud man, he wouldn't want her to bring it up- it would only make him feel babied.

Keeping that smile on her lips Yejide shared her own thought that had been passing through her mind, "I think you and my brother would probably get along, at least Ezra won't tell me if he doesn't like you." Teasing Mortimer as they walked deeper into the park Yejide gave him a grin, "he would never speak ill of the people I love, and I would expect you to do the same." Giving him a little poke, a small touch of her index finger on his shoulder she felt the drop of his hand as he lowered himself to the stone of the bridge that overlooked the water. Pausing she looked around, the area was covered by trees and the stars felt much closer than they had. Maybe it was the darkness that surrounded them but she felt a safe here and without needing a watch knew it was far too late for people to roam outside their homes.

Stepping on the back of one shoe she pulled it off and the other followed suit, it was pretty easy when wearing flats. Pushing them to the side Yejide folded her legs beneath her and dangled her legs over the side, her toes grazing the stillness of the water beneath them and creating ripples to match the fish that were feeding from the bugs that also landed on the surface. Leaning back on her hands Yejide tilted her head back and felt her hair slip past her shoulders behind her. For now she was enjoying the quiet- the stillness of the world around them, the way that life found a way to move around even if they weren't actively trying to change it. Closing her eyes Yejide let the peace of it all settle over her, she knew Mortimer didn't breathe but she reached over, her hand sliding over the stone and settling on the hand closest to her.

Waiting for about five minutes Yejide just let the peace fill her up before she opened her eyes and leaned forward, her toes drawing small circles over the water with lurking contemplation. "You were right, " she isn't loud like she has the tendency to be at times, "I do like it." Turning her face she grins at him, her hand lifting from his and playing with her pendant around her neck, she wants to take it off but knows it's a risky decision to make. She doesn't need to be spotted, despite the emptiness of their surroundings. "Mortimer," she starts, trying to be careful with her words, "you would tell me if you weren't doing well, wouldn't you?" She can't help but have that worry from earlier sink it's teeth into her flesh, her eyes conveying the concern she felt. She knew he wouldn't answer if he didn't want to, so she also poised this to him, "when did you find this spot? I typically go to the gazebo on the other side so I wouldn't have thought this to be here."