**Chapter 2: A Glimpse of Normalcy**

The morning sunlight streaming through the windows of her home highlighted the chaos that lay within. Toys scattered across the floor, and the remnants of breakfast lingered on the kitchen counter. Ashley's gaze swept the room, taking in the familiar mess that came with having a toddler. Ender, her little ball of energy, was currently occupied with building a tower using blocks, his tongue sticking out in concentration. As she entered the kitchen, Ashley was greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a gentle reminder that her assistant, Liz, had arrived earlier to help with the day's tasks. Liz, a no-nonsense woman in her late 40s, had been Ashley's right-hand woman for years, handling everything from scheduling to managing her social media presence. "Morning, Ash," Liz said, as she expertly cracked eggs into a bowl. "I've got your schedule laid out for the day. You have a meeting with your team to discuss the upcoming tour, and then a doctor's appointment to confirm the start of your next treatment cycle." Ashley nodded, taking a sip of her coffee as she surveyed the breakfast spread Liz had prepared. The quiet morning moment was a brief respite from the turmoil that often surrounded her. She glanced at Ender, who was now attempting to put a block on top of his tower, and felt a pang of gratitude for this small slice of normalcy. Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from Avan. "Hey, beautiful. Just wanted to check in and see how your day's going." Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she typed out a response, her fingers flying across the screen. "Hey, it's going. Just getting Ender ready for the day. Can't wait to see you tonight." As she hit send, Ashley couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest. She and Avan had been taking things slow, but the connection between them was undeniable. She wondered if he would be willing to meet Ender soon, a thought that both excited and terrified her. The rest of the morning flew by in a blur of meetings and phone calls. Ashley's team was gearing up for her upcoming tour, and the excitement was palpable. But as she listened to their discussions, Ashley's mind kept drifting back to her health. The latest test results had shown that her leukemia was in remission, but her Lupus and endometriosis continued to flail her. By the time her doctor's appointment rolled around, Ashley was feeling a mix of emotions. She had always been open about her struggles, using her platform to raise awareness about chronic illness and mental health. But some days, like today, she felt like she was barely holding on. As she sat in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine, Ashley's thoughts turned to the what-ifs. What if Avan couldn't handle the challenges that came with loving her? What if she wasn't strong enough to face the day ahead? The nurse called her name, and Ashley stood, smoothing her dress. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. As she walked into the examination room, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked tired, but her smile was still there, a testament to the resilience that had carried her this far. The doctor's words were a blur as Ashley listened, her mind racing with thoughts of Ender, Avan, and the uncertain future ahead. But as she left the office, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would face whatever came next, armed with her music, her son, and her unwavering resolve.