A Tearful Journey Home

Ashley took a deep breath as she stepped out of the doctor's office, Alex still clinging to her hand, his eyes red from crying. The cool air outside did little to calm Alex down, and he continued to drag his feet, his small body shaking with sobs. Ashley tried to comfort him, speaking softly and reassuring him that everything was going to be okay, but her own exhaustion was starting to take its toll. The ordeal at the doctor's office had been draining, and now the thought of walking home with a distraught Alex was overwhelming. As they walked, Ashley's mind wandered back to the events of the day. She was relieved that the doctor and nurse had been understanding, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and worry that had been building up inside her. She was struggling to cope with Alex's tantrums and her own fatigue. The weight of her responsibilities as a single parent was crushing her at times, and she felt like she was barely holding on. As they turned the corner onto their street, Ashley spotted their apartment building in the distance. She quickened her pace, hoping that a warm bath and a quiet space would help calm Alex down. But as they approached the entrance, Alex suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes welling up with tears again. "I don't wanna go home, Mummy," he wailed, his voice echoing through the quiet street. Ashley sighed, feeling her energy dwindling. She knelt down beside Alex and wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay, baby, we're almost home," she whispered, trying to soothe him. But Alex was inconsolable, and Ashley knew she had to think of something to distract him. She pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number, hoping that a familiar face on the screen would calm Alex down. As they waited for the call to connect, Ashley could see the tears still streaming down Alex's face. But when Avan's face appeared on the screen, Alex's sobs slowly subsided, replaced by sniffles and curiosity. "Daddy!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of sadness and excitement. Avan's warm smile and gentle voice immediately put Ashley and Alex at ease. "Hey, my little man, what's wrong?" he asked, his eyes scanning Alex's tear-stained face. Ashley filled him in on the events at the doctor's office, and Avan listened attentively, offering words of comfort and reassurance. As they video-called, Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over her, and she knew that with Avan's support, they would get through this difficult time together.