"A Delicate Conversation Unfolds"

As they sat down to lunch, Ashley couldn't help but notice that Alex was getting agitated, his usual enthusiasm for food waning as he began to fidget in his seat. She recognized the signs, having seen them before, and quickly retrieved his favorite sensory toy, a soft, squishy ball that he loved to manipulate when he was feeling overwhelmed. She handed it to him, and he immediately began to squeeze and release it, his eyes fixed on the motion as he calmed down slightly. Ashley took a deep breath, using the momentary lull to begin the conversation she had been dreading. "Alex, sweetie, there's something important I want to talk to you about," she said, trying to sound gentle and reassuring. Alex looked up at her, his eyes still a bit unfocused, but his attention piqued. "You know how sometimes I tell you that you're going to be a big brother?" she continued, watching as Alex's expression changed, his brow furrowing in confusion. He stopped playing with the ball, his hands freezing in mid-air as he looked at Ashley with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Yeah..." he said slowly, drawing out the word. Ashley smiled, trying to put him at ease, and reached out to gently stroke his hair. "Well, it's getting closer, and I want to make sure you're okay with it," she said, her voice soft and soothing. Alex's eyes narrowed, his face scrunched up in thought, and Ashley could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he processed this information.