Quite probably at an unconscious level; but it sounds like to me that your inner child felt safe enough, just a little, to venture out a little bit.
For me, I know it's no coincidence my inner child never made herself known (I had no idea I had one) until there was an adult (a T) who she recognised as SAFE ENOUGH to come out and make herself known to me.
That and - maybe it's the right time, right person, and you're more ready to do some of the inner child / deeper work?
Just my opinion of course
