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It started innocently. After Shane and Ilya officially adopted her, Anya noticed changes.
The strange lady that dropped the tiny human off at their home that used to come over regularly wasn't coming anymore.
Shane and Ilya became much more affectionate with Elena. Elena cuddled with Anya more and Shane let her do so without hesitation. Before the adoption, he used to be more careful letting Anya close to her.
At first Anya was careful too. She loved befriending strangers, she was after all a golden retriever, but Elena was a stranger that never left, just like Shane was all those years ago.
And Ilya's love for the tiny human had made Anya realise that she was a permanent part of the family now. So she paid more attention to her.
And soon Anya considered herself Elena's primary protector. She barely left her side again. When Shane and Ilya put her to sleep she was there. Whenever Elena got a bath Anya watched over her to make sure she didn't drown. Elena would splash her with bathwater, giggling. Anya loved playing with Elena. She also loved stealing Anya's loon toy because it was soft and smelled like her new favorite human.
To Shane and Ilya this was nothing new or even unexpected. To them, even though Anya was a dog, she would always be their first child in a way. So they were endlessly happy to see their oldest getting along with her new sister.
Yuna had never witnessed this special bond before, which was quickly about to change when Shane and Ilya went on their first date night since adopting Elena. None of the centaurs were available, Svetlana and Rose were out of town, and David was recovering from a routine surgery. Yuna had the honor of being the first to babysit Elena after the adoption.
"Grandma Yuna is coming over soon Anyeshka!", Ilya announced as he flopped himself on the living room floor right next to Anya. She immediately curled into him demanding pets and cuddles.
She barked excitedly.
"Yes, I know you are excited my sweet girl. But your little sister is sleeping so you have to be quiet, okay?", Ilya asked, while burrying his hands in Anya's fur. He kissed her head and scratched her belly, which earned him kisses and a wagging tail from Anya.
"Ilya, we leave in like five minutes you have to get ready!", Shane said when he came out of their daughters room and spotted Ilya, still in his joggers, on the floor.
Ilya and Anya lifted their heads at the same time and shot Shane a dissaproving glance. How dare he disturb their cuddle time?
"Don't give me that look, this date was your idea."
Ilya shrugged and pulled Anya even closer to him. "Goodbye my perfect angel princess, your cruel daddy is making me leave you behind", he sighed dramatically while kissing her head again.
"Again, Ilya, this was your idea", Shane argued absentmindedly, while anxiously looking at his wrist watch. "We're going to be late, please Ilya-"
"Yes, yes, moy lyubov", Ilya said, quickly standing up to kiss his husband. Partly to calm him down, but mostly because he liked kissing him, fucking sue him.
It turned into a longer kiss than Ilya intended so he pulled away.
"I'll change now. And I have to say goodbye to Lenochka.", he kissed Shane again before mumbling a quiet "Might need more than five minutes."
"What? Ilya!", Shane tried but Ilya already bolted up the stairs. Anya followed him closely to make sure Elena would be safe.
The doorbell rang. Shane quickly ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. No need for his mom to see how exhausted he was.
"Where is my granddaughter?", Yuna asked dissapointed when Shane opened the door. "You look tired sweetheart." Well there goes that.
"Hello mom, I'm also happy to see you.", Shane replied and gestured for Yuna to come in. "Elena is asleep in her room. I got her to sleep after almost an hour. We couldn't find Bucky and she refuses to sleep without him."
Yuna nodded knowingly. The loon toy had a way of always vanishing into thin air when it was the least convenient. Lately it was usually found in Anya's dog bed.
Shane yawned and rubbed his eyes.
They walked to Elena's room together.
Ilya was sitting next to Elena's bed, stroking her hair and singing a russian lullaby. He only noticed Yuna and Shane's presence when Anya lifted her head and growled quietly.
"Shhh, Anyeshka. Is only Yuna", he whispered, momentarily stopping his singing and pet his dog.
Shane watched the scene in awe. His husband singing to his daughter and his mom here to see it. It made him sad for a moment, that Irina would never get to see this. Her son singing her granddaughter his favorite russian lullaby. Though in a way Shane was sure she actually couldsee it. She just had to.
"I love you so much, malyshka. We will be back when you wake up, okay?", Ilya whispered, kissing Elena's forehead and booped Bucky on the beek, like he always did. Shane stepped closer and did the same. "Good night, baby."
After saying goodbye to Anya and Yuna aswell, Shane and Ilya finally left for their date. But only after being reassured a dozen times that Yuna would call if anything happened.
About an hour later, after updating Shane for the millionth time that Elena was fine and still asleep, Yuna sat on the couch, reading the hocky book Shane had left on the coffee table. A whimper came from Elena's room.
Anya quickly lifted her head. Another whimper was heard. She hopped off the couch and went into Elena's room.
Yuna also stood up, to make sure Anya wouldn't hurt Elena. Anya was always good with kids, so Yuna was quite certain nothing would happen, but it was better to be safe than sorry. She wasn't too worried because Elena's door was open anyway so she walked up the stairs slowly.
Elena was sleeping but still whimpering and making noises. Anya immediately recognized what was happening. Elena was having a nightmare.
Instinctively, Anya stepped closer to the bed. She carefully put her head on Elena's stomach. She always did this when Ilya had an off day and cried. And it almost always helped him calm down.
Usually it happened when Ilya thought about and missed his mother, which became more frequently after becoming a dad. Of course Anya didn't know that, she just felt her favorite humans feeling sad and did whatever worked to help them, as if her life depended on it.
It seemed to work this time aswell. Elena's breathing slowed down again. Carefully, as to not wake the sleeping child, Anya climbed on the little bed and laid down next to Elena, so that her head remained on her stomach.
Yuna finally reached the room.
"What's wrong my little Lenibug? Oh-", Yuna stopped as soon as she saw Anya laying right beside her granddaughter. It was the most adorable thing she had ever seen.
She promptly took a picture and send it to the Hollander Family Group Chat, Yuna had created aproximitely five minutes after getting Ilya's phone number.
Yuna:
The kids are doing fine :)
Anya is a great big sister, eh?
David:
Aww, I miss my granddaughter so much.
Yuna, dear, please give her a kiss from me
Ilya:
My Babieeeees :(((( i miss them so much
My Anyeshka is the best big sister, nobody compares EVER
Shane:
Mom, you made Ilya cry in the restaurant
Ilya:
Do not act like you did not cry too Shanya
Is not nice to lie to Mama Yuna
David:
For the record, I also cried.
Yuna:
For heaven's sake boys put the phones away and enjoy your date
Ilya:
You started it Yuna this is your doing!
She chuckled and put her phone away again. Yuna sat down in the chair on the opposite side of the wall, to keep an eye on Elena and Anya.
Later that night, Shane and Ilya returned from their date, relieving Yuna off her babysitting duties.
"Thank you so much for watching her tonight", Ilya whispered, as quiet as possible to not wake his sleeping daughter and dog.
"I feel like Anya did most of the work", Yuna laughed and said goodbye to her boys.
"I'll go brush my teeth and then go to bed, I'm exhausted", Ilya muttered, kissing Shane on the forehead and then his mouth.
Shane nodded and watched Ilya leave the room. He looked at his sleeping daughter and pulled the chair next to the bed.
In the bathroom, Ilya took out his phone and looked at the picture Yuna had sent earlier again. He smiled, putting his phone down and quickly finished brushing his teeth.
When he walked towards their bedroom, Ilya noticed that it was empty. Shane wasn't there.
He made his way to their daughters room.
And there he was.
Shane was still in the chair, now asleep, his hand on Elena's head and his own head right next to Elena. Anya was still lying with her head on Elena's stomach.
Ilya grinned at the sight. You see that mama? , He thought, our family.
He pullled out his phone and took a dozen pictures. He chose one where Elena's face was out of focus and went to his instagram account.
ilyarozanov81: My three babies <3