InsaneJournal

As soon as the front door opened, Eloise thrust herself into his arms and he hugged her back without hesitation. Sadie, who had been wagging her tail at the sound of Eloise at the door whimpered when she realized how upset she was. The dog quieted down and backed away, realizing this wasn't the proper time to her lick her face.

Augustus held her close, with one hand firmly wrapped around her shoulders and the other gripping the back of her head. He held her against his shoulder with his chin on the top of her head. She was crying profusely and he couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but he didn't think he had ever seen her this upset before. Ever. Stroking the hair on the back of her head in attempt to soothe her, he stood in the same position, not bothering to even try to shut the door. "Shhh. Lou. It's going to be alright. What? What happened?"