**Healing Wounds**

Six days had passed since Kody's surgery, and Ashley couldn't believe how quickly time had flown by. She had barely left his side, spending every waking moment by his incubator in the NICU. The beeping of the machines and the whirring of the ventilator had become a constant hum in the background, a reminder that her baby was still fragile, still fighting. As she gazed at Kody's tiny form, Ashley's heart swelled with emotion. His small chest rose and fell with each breath, the ventilator helping him draw air into his lungs. The huge scar on his chest, a stark red line that ran down the center of his tiny body, was a constant reminder of the surgery he had endured. Ashley's eyes welled up with tears as she reached out to gently stroke his soft hair. Ryan came in to visit, giving Ashley a gentle kiss on the cheek as he took in the sight of their baby. "How's he doing?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. Ashley shook her head, her eyes still fixed on Kody. "The doctors say he's doing okay, but he's still on the vent. They're hoping to wean him off soon." She paused, her voice cracking. "I just wish he could come home with us. I miss having him in his crib, just being able to hold him." Ryan wrapped his arms around Ashley, pulling her close. "I know, baby. It's hard. But he's in good hands here. The nurses are amazing, and the doctors are doing everything they can to help him heal." As they stood there, Ashley felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her. She had been running on adrenaline for days, but the emotional toll of Kody's surgery was starting to catch up with her. Ryan seemed to sense it, and he gently guided her to a chair beside Kody's incubator. "You need to rest," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I'll sit with him for a bit. You go get some sleep, okay?" Ashley nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude towards Ryan. She leaned over to kiss Kody's forehead, her heart full of love for her tiny, brave baby. As she drifted off to sleep, she knew that Ryan would be there, watching over Kody, and keeping her safe. The machines beeped and whirred around her, a soothing background noise that seemed to lull her into a deep sleep. Ashley slept for hours, her body and mind recharging for the challenges ahead. When she woke, Ryan was still sitting beside her, his eyes fixed on Kody's peaceful face. "How long did I sleep?" Ashley asked, her voice groggy. Ryan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "A few hours. The doctor came by while you were sleeping, and they said Kody's doing great. They're going to start trying to wean him off the vent today." Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Kody, her eyes searching for any sign of change. But as she gazed at his tiny form, she knew that no matter what the day brought, she and Ryan would face it together, as a team, with their brave little baby by their side.