More than anything

If she didn't have her back to the cabinets, the force of Saoirse's hug probably would have sent her sprawling. It startles a laugh out of her, and she holds the girl tight.

"Your mother would be so proud of you," she says. She could say more on that subject: that she's so sorry Saoirse's mother isn't here, and that they never really got to know one another. She knows exactly how much that hurts, never getting to see your child grow up. And she knows she'll start crying again if she tries to voice any of that, so she doesn't. She just turns to press a kiss against Saoirse's forehead.