She'll want to lean on Elliot in a while. She'll want to find Rachel again later and burrow into the warm safety of her aunt's love. But, for the moment, there's something entirely correct about being left with only her little cousin.

It hits her oddly like a punch in the gut, seeing his smile. It springs an unexpected flood of tears to her eyes to hear his bright little voice calling her name and see--however blurry--his little hands waving for her to pick him up.

The tremble leaves her fingers as she drops to the ground to sweep the boy up into her arms. It's a tight sort of hug, but Edgar will survive for a moment or two while she composes herself, surely.