**Chapter 4: Tears and Doubts**

Ashley stormed through the front door, slamming it shut behind her and startling Franklin, who was sitting on the floor playing with his toys. He let out a small yelp and scurried out of the way as Ashley threw herself onto the couch, bursting into tears. As she lay there, sobbing uncontrollably, Ashley's mind began to wander. What would it be like to be a mom? Would she be good enough? Would she be able to provide for her child, to love it unconditionally, to be the kind of parent she had always wanted for herself? The questions swirled in her head, making her feel anxious and uncertain. As she cried, Ashley thought about Gerald's words, about the "options" he had presented. Abortion, adoption...were they really viable choices? Would she be a bad mom? Would she be able to give her child the life it deserved? The more she thought about it, the more overwhelmed she felt. Ashley sat up, wiping her nose on her sleeve and taking a deep breath. She looked around her living room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. This was her home, her sanctuary. But now, it felt different. It felt like everything was changing, like her whole world was being turned upside down. She thought about all the things she had always taken for granted - her freedom, her spontaneity, her ability to do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Being a mom would change all that. It would mean responsibility, sacrifice, and hard work. Could she really do it? As she sat there, Ashley felt a wave of self-doubt wash over her. What if she wasn't ready for this? What if she wasn't good enough? What if she made mistakes and hurt her child? The thoughts swirled in her head, making her feel anxious and uncertain. Franklin, sensing that Ashley was upset, crept over to her and nuzzled her hand. Ashley smiled weakly and stroked his fur, feeling a small sense of comfort. But as she looked into his big brown eyes, she couldn't help but wonder - what would it be like to have a tiny human depending on her, to love and care for? As the tears continued to fall, Ashley realized that she had a lot to think about. She needed to consider her options, to weigh the pros and cons of each choice. But most of all, she needed to listen to her own heart, to figure out what she really wanted. And what she really wanted, she thought, was to be a good mom. But what did that even mean? And how would she do it?