Eternal Echoes

42

As the months passed, Ares and Athena continued to grow at an astonishing rate, hitting milestone after milestone. Ares had already started walking, his tiny feet shuffling cautiously across the floor, while Athena, as energetic as ever, had taken to running—more like a wobbly sprint—around the house, giggling whenever she managed to make it from one side of the room to the other. Aria watched in awe as her babies grew more independent each day, each new skill learned filling her with joy and pride.

One crisp morning, after a restless night with the twins, Aria decided to head to her café early. She had learned to wake up a little before everyone else, so she could catch some quiet time before the chaos of the day began. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft orange glow over the city, and Aria wrapped herself in a cozy jacket before heading out the door.

As she walked down the familiar street toward Pages & Brews, she passed the small park nearby, where the last of the morning joggers were finishing their routes. And then she saw it—a big, but surprisingly small Rottweiler, sitting alone near the park's edge, looking wary and alone.

Aria paused. The dog's dark, soulful eyes watched her intently, its posture stiff and unsure. It was clear it was scared, maybe even abandoned. Aria's heart went out to the animal. She stepped closer, her hand reaching for a biscuit she had in her pocket, left over from her breakfast. The dog's ears perked up, and it took a cautious step toward her. Aria knelt down slowly, holding the biscuit in her hand. The Rottweiler hesitated, sniffing the air before inching forward to take the treat from her.

"Hey, boy," Aria whispered softly, not wanting to startle him. "It's okay. You're safe now."

The dog took the biscuit from her hand, and for a moment, they simply shared the quiet connection of trust. Aria smiled as the Rottweiler's tense muscles began to relax, and he sat down in front of her, his tail giving a slow, tentative wag.

Aria was filled with a sudden sense of responsibility for this dog. It needed help, and she knew she had the means to offer it. She gently patted the dog's head, her fingers brushing through his thick coat. "You're a sweet one, aren't you?" she said softly, her mind already starting to formulate a plan.

As she stood up, the dog followed her with his eyes, clearly still a little unsure but seeming to trust her more and more. Aria thought for a moment, then smiled.

"I think you need a name. How about Shadow?" she said aloud, to no one in particular, but it felt right. "Because you'll be my shadow from now on. You'll guide me, like a shadow."

The dog's ears perked up at the sound of his new name, and for the first time, he stood fully, walking closer to Aria. It was clear that despite his rough exterior, he was just looking for companionship and safety, and she could provide that.

Aria looked around. There were no signs of an owner in sight, and the dog seemed to have no collar. She made a quick decision. Shadow was coming home with her.

She crouched down again, offering her hand to him. "Come on, boy. Let's get you to a safe place."

To her surprise, Shadow followed her without hesitation, walking at her side like they had been together forever. As they made their way back home, Aria felt a sense of comfort in his presence. He wasn't just any dog; he was going to be a companion, a protector, someone who would grow with their family.

When she reached home, Aria quickly ushered Shadow inside, making sure to close the door quietly behind her. She hadn't told Alessandro or Isabella about her plans yet—she didn't want to ruin the surprise. The twins were still sleeping, and she had a few hours before they would be awake and needing their attention. She quickly found an old blanket from the laundry room, creating a little space for Shadow to rest in the corner of the living room. He curled up there, already feeling at home.