Chapter 67: Uncertain Outcomes

As Ashley and Alex walked to the OB office, the bright sunlight cast a warm glow over the quiet streets. Ashley rummaged through her bag and pulled out the pack of cookies she had bought earlier, hoping to distract Alex from the impending doctor's appointment. She handed him a cookie, and his eyes lit up as he took a bite. For a moment, his chatter ceased, and he focused on savoring the treat. Ashley breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Alex's expression change from anxiety to contentment. She hoped the cookies would continue to work their magic and keep him calm during the appointment. As they approached the office building, Ashley's anxiety began to resurface. She had been dreading this appointment for weeks, and now that it was finally here, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. As they entered the office, Ashley was greeted by the friendly face of the receptionist, who checked them in and handed Ashley a clipboard with some paperwork to fill out. Ashley took a seat in the waiting area, trying to distract herself by reading through the forms, while Alex sat beside her, munching on his cookie. A few minutes later, the doctor called Ashley's name, and she stood up, smoothing out her clothes. Alex looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Mommy, what's happening?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Ashley smiled and knelt down beside him. "The doctor is going to check on the baby, sweetie," she said, trying to sound calm. "You're going to stay with me the whole time, okay?" Alex nodded, seeming to accept this explanation, and followed Ashley into the examination room. The doctor, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, greeted them and began the examination. Ashley lay down on the examination table, trying to relax as the doctor applied the gel to her abdomen and began the ultrasound. As the doctor worked, Ashley's mind wandered to the unknown. What would the scan reveal? Was everything okay with the baby? She glanced over at Alex, who was watching the screen with wide eyes, and smiled reassuringly. She prayed that the cookies would continue to keep him calm and that the appointment would go smoothly. But as she looked at the screen, her heart began to pound with anticipation, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet imagine.