"A Moment Interrupted"

As Ashley's phone rang, breaking the spell of the playful moment she was sharing with Ender, she felt a sense of unease wash over her. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should answer it, but something about the ringtone seemed to bring her back to reality. She gently pried Ender off Franklin and set him down on the floor. "I'll get it, baby," she said, trying to sound calm. Ender looked up at her, his eyes searching for reassurance. Ashley smiled and handed him a toy. As she walked over to the counter to pick up her phone, she saw the name on the screen – her lawyer, calling to discuss the upcoming court case. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the conversation ahead. Ashley put her finger to her mouth, signaling to Ender to be quiet. "Shh, baby," she mouthed, trying to convey the importance of silence. Ender's eyes locked onto hers, and he nodded slightly, understanding that it was time to be still. Ashley took a deep breath and answered the phone, trying to compose herself. "Hello?" she said, her voice calm and steady. "Hey, Ashley, it's Rachel. I just wanted to touch base with you about the court case. The prosecutor's office just sent over some new evidence, and I think we need to discuss it," her lawyer said, her voice firm but reassuring. Ashley glanced over at Ender, who was watching her with big, brown eyes. She put her hand over the phone, trying to block out the sound, and mouthed "just a minute" to Ender. He nodded, and Ashley turned her attention back to the phone. "Okay, what kind of evidence?" Ashley asked, trying to focus on the conversation. As she listened to Rachel's explanation, Ashley's mind began to wander. She thought about the stress of the court case, the uncertainty of the outcome, and the impact it would have on her life and Ender's. She felt a sense of anxiety creeping in, but she pushed it aside, trying to stay focused on the conversation. "I see," Ashley said, her voice neutral. "What does this mean for our case?" Rachel's voice was reassuring. "It means we need to be prepared for some tough questions. But I think we can handle it. I just need you to come in and review some of the evidence with me, and we'll go over some possible scenarios." Ashley nodded, even though Rachel couldn't see her. "Okay, when do you need me to come in?" she asked, her mind already racing with the implications. As she listened to Rachel's response, Ashley's eyes met Ender's, and she smiled softly. She knew that this conversation was just a small part of a much larger journey, and she was determined to face it head-on, for Ender's sake as much as her own.