Chapter 16: New Beginnings

A few hours had passed since Ashley had first held her son in her arms, and she was feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after a warm shower and some much-needed rest. The nurse had helped her get cleaned up, and now she was ready to start her new life as a mom. Sarah was sitting beside her, watching with a smile as Ashley carefully dressed her son in the tiny outfit she had picked out. The baby's eyes were closed, and he was sleeping peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. "I think I'm going to name him Kody," Ashley said, looking up at Sarah with a hopeful expression. Sarah's face lit up with a smile. "I love it," she said. "Kody is a great name." Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She had been thinking about names for weeks, but as soon as she looked at her son, she knew that Kody was the perfect fit. As she finished dressing Kody, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had done it – she had created this tiny, perfect human being, and now she got to take care of him and watch him grow. The nurse came in with a tray of food, and Ashley's stomach growled with hunger. "I'm starving," she said, laughing. The nurse smiled. "I'll help you get settled in with some food, and then we can get started on getting you and Kody discharged." Ashley nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. She was ready to start her new life as a mom, but she was also a little scared. What if she made mistakes? What if she wasn't good enough? Sarah seemed to sense her unease, and she reached out to take Ashley's hand. "You're going to be an amazing mom, Ash," she said. "You already are." Ashley smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards her sister. She knew that she couldn't do this without Sarah's support, and she was grateful to have her by her side. As she took her first bite of food, Ashley felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She was exactly where she was meant to be – with her son, Kody, in her arms.