Ariana Grande adopts - - 🦋Beyond the Stage🦋

｡°first steps... as fast as a turtle°｡

The morning sun gently illuminated Ariana's mansion as she and Ethan prepared to return to the orphanage. Excitement filled the air, mingled with a touch of apprehension. Ariana knew that the previous day had been a small but important step in her journey to connect with Zoe. Now, with Ethan by her side, she hoped his presence would help strengthen this fragile bond.

As they drove to the orphanage, Ethan held Ariana's hand, offering silent support. He was eager to meet Zoe, feeling the moment's significance through Ariana's eyes. When they arrived, they were greeted by Mary, who led them once again to the recreation room.

Mary: with a warm smile "Zoe is waiting for you, Ariana. And I'm glad you brought Ethan. I think it will mean a lot to her."

Ariana smiled back, feeling the familiar mix of nervousness and hope. They followed Mary to the room where the children were playing. Zoe was sitting in the same corner as yesterday, holding the storybook Ariana had started reading.

Ariana: softly "Hi, Zoe. I'm back, as I promised. And I brought someone special to meet you."

Zoe slowly lifted her eyes, fixing her gaze on Ethan. There was a clear wariness in her eyes, more intense than Ariana had expected. Sensing the girl's hesitation, Ethan kept a respectful distance and spoke in an even gentler tone.

Ethan: gently "Hi, Zoe. My name is Ethan. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Zoe stared at him for a few seconds, her body tensing, before looking back at the book in her hands. Ariana sensed that Zoe was processing Ethan's presence and decided it was time to pick up where they left off.

Ariana: enthusiastically "I was thinking, how about we continue our story? Ethan does great funny voices too. I bet you'll like it."

Zoe looked at the couple again, this time with a little less caution, but still visibly uncomfortable with Ethan's presence. She hugged the book a bit tighter, holding it like a protective shield. Sensing Zoe's need for security, Ariana took the book and began reading softly, maintaining a reassuring tone.

As the story progressed, Zoe remained rigid and alert, especially when Ethan voiced the characters. Noticing her tension, Ethan toned down his interpretations, trying to be as unthreatening as possible. Despite his efforts, the girl barely relaxed, her eyes frequently darting back to scrutinize Ethan with a mix of fear and distrust.

Mary, observing from a distance, quietly approached Ariana and whispered:

Mary: carefully "Zoe has a difficult history. She... has a certain fear of male figures, due to her traumatic past."

Ariana nodded, absorbing the information and feeling a pang of sadness for Zoe. She knew it would take more time and patience for the girl to feel safe around Ethan.

Ariana: whispering back "I understand. We'll take things slowly. She needs to feel that we're here for her, in a way that's comfortable for her."

Mary smiled, satisfied with Ariana's response, and returned to her discreet position. Ariana continued reading, her voice full of calm and sweetness, trying to bring some comfort to Zoe. Gradually, Zoe began to relax a bit, though she still maintained a certain emotional distance.

After a while, Mary returned to check on their progress. She watched the scene with a pleased smile, but also with an awareness of the situation's complexities.

Mary: softly to Ariana "You're doing well. It's important for Zoe to see that you're here for her, without pressure."

Ariana looked at Mary and nodded, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment. She knew there was still a long way to go, but each small progress was a victory.

At the end of the visit, Ariana turned to Zoe with an encouraging smile.

Ariana: gently "Zoe, Ethan and I loved spending this time with you. I hope we can come back tomorrow and continue our story. What do you think?"

Zoe looked at them, clutching the book tightly. She made no move to hand the book to Ariana, but she also didn't pull away, which Ariana interpreted as a small sign of acceptance.

Ethan: with a warm smile "So it's a deal. See you tomorrow, Zoe."

Back in the car, Ariana and Ethan were filled with hope but also concern. The journey to bring Zoe into their lives would not be easy, but the first steps had already been taken. As they drove back home, they reflected on the visit.

After 30 minutes, they finally arrived, entered the house, and headed straight to the kitchen, where Ethan began preparing something simple for dinner. Ariana sat at the table, lost in thought. Noticing her pensive state, Ethan broke the silence first.

Ethan: carefully "So... what did you think of Zoe? It was more difficult than we expected."

Ariana sighed, resting her chin in her hands.

Ariana: thoughtfully "She's so sweet, but so wounded. I can see it in her eyes. She can barely relax, and now I understand why. Mary mentioned that Zoe has a fear of men because of what she's been through."

Ethan stopped what he was doing and sat down in front of Ariana, holding her hand.

Ethan: tenderly "That makes sense. She seemed really uncomfortable with me there. I think we need to be very careful and patient."

Ariana looked at Ethan, feeling deeply grateful for his understanding and support.

Ariana: emotionally "Yes, it will take time. But I feel she has so much potential to be happy if we can give her the right environment. Are you willing to keep trying?"

Ethan smiled, squeezing Ariana's hand firmly.

Ethan: determinedly "Of course I am. Zoe deserves a chance at a better life. And I want to be there, by your side, to help make that happen."

Ariana felt a wave of relief and gratitude. Knowing that Ethan was fully committed to this journey made her feel they could overcome any obstacle together.

Ariana: with a hopeful smile "Then let's go back tomorrow. Let's keep building that trust, one step at a time."

Ethan: nodding "Yes, one step at a time. And I'll do my best to show Zoe that she can trust me too."

With this silent agreement, Ariana and Ethan prepared for the next stage of their journey. The road ahead would be full of challenges, but they were ready to face them together, determined to bring light and joy into Zoe's life.

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Hey there, lovely readers! 🌟

Thank you so much for reading this far. It means the world to me! 💖 I'm curious-how are you feeling about the slower pace of the story? Would you prefer if I jumped straight to the big moments, like Zoe moving in with Ariana? Personally, I love writing the story at this slower rhythm, but I'm a bit worried it might be boring for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts!