Chapter 13: Facing the Uncertainty

"Do you think we can handle being parents?" Ashley asked, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Gerald, her gaze searching for reassurance. Gerald's expression softened, and he pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her. "Ash, I don't know," he said, his voice filled with uncertainty. "I mean, I've always thought about having kids one day, but I never thought it would be like this. I never thought it would be so... soon." Ashley sniffled, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I want to be a mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always wanted to be a mom. But I don't know if I'm ready. I don't know if we're ready." Gerald looked at her, his eyes filled with compassion. "I want to be a dad," he said, his voice gentle. "I want to be a good dad. But I need to be honest with you, Ash. I'm scared. I'm scared of not being good enough, of not being able to provide for our child." Ashley felt a pang of sadness as she looked at him. She knew he was scared, and she was too. But she also knew that they couldn't turn back now. They had to face this together. "What if we're not good enough?" she asked, her voice shaking. Gerald took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers. "We'll figure it out," he said. "We'll make mistakes, but we'll learn from them. We'll be in this together, always." Ashley felt a tear roll down her cheek as she looked at him. She knew that she wanted to do this, to have this baby and raise it with Gerald. But she also knew that it wouldn't be easy. "I want to do this," she said, her voice soft. "I want to have this baby and raise it with you. But I need you to promise me one thing." Gerald looked at her, his eyes curious. "What's that?" he asked. Ashley took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "I need you to promise me that you'll be honest with me, always," she said. "That you'll tell me how you're feeling, and that we'll face this together, no matter what." Gerald nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "I promise," he said. "I'll always be honest with you, Ash. We'll do this together, as a team." Ashley felt a sense of relief wash over her as she looked at him. She knew that they still had a long way to go, but for the first time in weeks, she felt like they were on the same page. They were in this together, and they would face it together, no matter what.