Spencer knows what that's like, to be fine and yet clearly be the opposite, but he also knows that when he's feeling that way, he quite prefers to be left alone with how fine he really is. He still comes dangerously close to pushing the subject, of course, because he cares for Essie and if something is upsetting her, he would want to offer whatever help he can; but with his teeth chewing on his bottom lip and a moment of contemplation, he decides that perhaps it might be better to let his concerns go unmentioned for the time being.

Besides, there's very few things in this world that could possibly lift one's spirits than a tour of a soon-to-be-finished nursery.

"Joel's still putting the finishing touches on it," he says, though he's smiling already at the prospect of showing the room off to a friend. Raleigh had gotten glimpses of it by virtue of the fact that she'd been living here when Joel had gotten started, but nobody but their family has seen it in its state now. "I'm hopeless with anything related to fixing things up so I mostly just watch him work and then show him new things I think we should add, but I'd love to show it to you."

He glances over his shoulder, relieved to see that his mother-in-law is busy doting over Joel with the friends she'd invited, and he chuckles to himself before turning back to Essie and gesturing toward the hall. "Come on, it's upstairs."