Alice shook her head. While expanding her lungs, she straightened her shoulders.
"I'm not sad, but touched. I just found out that you really love me. I regret doing something stupid and disappearing for five years."
"Hey," Edmund moved to touch her arm, "it has passed. There's no point in regretting it. The important thing is, you're here. We can be together again."
Sky nodded with pouting lips. "Uncle Ed is right. The important thing is, we are together again. Stop crying, Mama."
Alice took a deep breath, trying to relieve her tightness. When her breathing calmed, Edmund asked, "Do you want me to hug you?"
Alice blinked. After a brief moment of contemplation, she nodded.
Edmund embraced her very gently. "It's okay, Alice. Everything is fine."
Alice could only close her eyes,
