Those are words he's been yearning to hear for a long time now, but it's hard to grasp them even so. He freezes, shifting slightly as if looking at her would reveal that this is all a joke or something.

"What? Are you kiddin' me?"

He sincerely hopes not. Even the thought of her being able to get to that point is enough to fill him with joy. He feels like he could jump into the air--if he weren't being tasked with the important duty of holding her now.