Eternal Echoes

31

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly into the room, casting warm hues over the three sleeping figures. Aria stirred first, a strange queasiness swirling in her stomach. She blinked, pushing aside the remnants of sleep as the sensation grew stronger. Before she could fully process the feeling, a wave of nausea hit her, and she quickly slipped out from between Alessandro and Isabella, careful not to wake them. She rushed to the bathroom, clutching her hand over her mouth.

The nausea seemed to intensify as she reached the sink, and she barely had a moment to brace herself before the sickness overtook her. When the wave finally passed, she took a few steadying breaths, her mind spinning. She felt shaky and lightheaded, a sense of discomfort that didn't seem like any ordinary stomach bug.

It was only after rinsing her mouth and splashing cool water on her face that a faint suspicion crossed her mind. Her period had been...late. By weeks now, she realized, frowning slightly as she counted the days in her head. Her heart began to beat faster as she considered the possibility, one she hadn't entertained before. Could she really be...?

As she steadied herself, her thoughts whirled. It was far too early to jump to conclusions, but the symptoms were unmistakable. She'd heard friends talk about similar feelings in early pregnancy, and the thought brought both a thrill and a sense of fear.

When she finally left the bathroom, Aria found Isabella awake, sitting up with a soft, concerned look in her eyes.

"Aria?" Isabella's voice was gentle, but her eyes held a question. "Are you alright? You look a bit pale."

Aria hesitated, biting her lip as she tried to mask her worry. "Just a bit queasy. I think it was something I ate."

But Isabella's gaze remained steady, searching Aria's face as though she could read the thoughts hiding beneath her words. Aria shifted under her gaze, and something must have shown in her expression, because Isabella's eyes softened, a flicker of understanding crossing her face.

"Aria...when was the last time you had your period?" Isabella asked, her voice low and careful, as if she didn't want to startle her.

Aria's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced away, her hands fidgeting as she replied, "About a month ago, maybe a bit longer." She looked up, meeting Isabella's eyes with a nervous smile. "You don't think...?"

Isabella reached over, taking Aria's hand in hers. "I don't know," she said softly, "but it's worth finding out. If it is...well, we'll figure this out together." There was a calm certainty in her voice, a strength that helped ease the knot of worry in Aria's stomach.

Just then, Alessandro began to stir beside them, blinking his eyes open as he looked between the two women. His brow furrowed with concern as he took in Aria's slightly pale face and the way Isabella held her hand.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, sitting up and reaching out to brush a comforting hand over Aria's arm.

Aria managed a small, reassuring smile. "I'm...not sure yet," she admitted, her voice soft. She glanced at Isabella, who gave her a gentle nod, silently encouraging her to share. "I might...I might need to take a test, just to be certain."

Alessandro's eyes widened slightly, but his expression quickly softened, a calm reassurance settling over his face. He reached out, cupping Aria's face with a gentle hand. "Whatever it is, you're not alone," he said, his voice steady and warm. "We'll be with you every step of the way."

In that moment, despite the uncertainty, Aria felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. With Isabella's calm presence and Alessandro's steady support, she knew she had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

~~~~

Alessandro didn't waste any time after Aria's quiet revelation. He dressed quickly, pressing a reassuring kiss to her forehead and giving her hand a gentle squeeze before heading out. Determined to make this as easy as possible for her, he went to the nearest pharmacy and selected the best pregnancy tests he could find. He ended up buying ten, wanting to be completely certain, and even bought a few different brands to cover all bases. He knew this was a life-changing moment, and he didn't want there to be any lingering doubts.

When he returned, Alessandro found Aria and Isabella curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Aria looked tense, her eyes flickering up at him as he entered, while Isabella gently rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles. He placed the bag on the table, giving Aria a supportive smile.

"Here we go," he said, gesturing to the bag. "I figured it's better to be thorough."

Aria took a shaky breath, reaching out to hold Isabella's hand a little tighter. Her heart raced as she glanced at the tests, the reality of the situation starting to sink in even more. She could feel her nerves building, but Isabella's comforting presence helped keep her grounded.

Seeing Aria's hesitation, Isabella pulled her a little closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "You don't have to rush, Aria," she whispered softly, her voice full of warmth and understanding. "We'll take it one step at a time."

Aria managed a small, grateful smile, but her voice wavered. "It's just... this isn't something I ever really planned, you know?" She glanced down, a hint of worry in her expression. "What if...what if I'm not ready?"

Isabella squeezed her hand, her eyes soft and full of empathy. "You don't have to have it all figured out right now. This is a huge moment, and it's okay to feel unsure." She paused, brushing a strand of hair from Aria's face. "But...just so you know, I've always wanted to be a mother. I've dreamed about it for years."

Aria looked up at Isabella, surprised by the quiet confession. There was a gentle smile on Isabella's face, a look of deep longing mixed with hope. "You have?"

Isabella nodded, her thumb tracing gentle circles on Aria's hand. "Yes. I've always wanted to experience that kind of love and bond. And if this is happening for us... I would be overjoyed to be a part of it."

Aria's heart softened at Isabella's words, a flicker of calm beginning to settle within her. She could feel Isabella's excitement and warmth, and it made the possibility seem a little less daunting. Leaning her head against Isabella's shoulder, she let out a small, shaky breath. "It sounds...really beautiful, when you put it like that."

"It could be," Isabella replied softly, wrapping her arms around Aria as they settled into a comfortable silence. They stayed like that for a while, Isabella holding her close, sharing her warmth and reassurance, until Aria finally felt ready to face the moment.

With Alessandro sitting beside them, offering his quiet support, they made their way to the bathroom. Alessandro and Isabella waited just outside the door as Aria took the first test, then the second, each moment filled with a mixture of nerves, anticipation, and the tiniest glimmer of hope. When Aria finally returned, clutching the first result in her hand, her eyes were wide, and she looked between them with a mix of awe and disbelief.

"It's positive," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alessandro and Isabella immediately wrapped their arms around her, creating a tight embrace as the reality of the situation set in. In that moment, there was no need for words; they simply held each other, feeling the weight and beauty of what lay ahead, together.

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