A New Kind of Waiting

Six months had passed since Ashley's discharge from the treatment centre, and life had settled into a comfortable routine. She and Gerald had been trying to rebuild their lives, and a big part of that was starting a family. They had always talked about having kids, and now that Ashley was healthy and stable, they decided it was time to try. At first, Ashley was excited and optimistic. She had always dreamed of being a mother, and she couldn't wait to meet her baby. But as the months went by, and Ashley's periods continued to come and go, she began to feel a growing sense of unease. She and Gerald had been trying for six months now, and still, there was no sign of a pregnancy. They had tried everything, or so it seemed. They had timed intercourse perfectly, eaten all the right foods, and even gone on romantic getaways to reduce stress. But despite their best efforts, the pregnancy tests kept coming back negative. Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration. She had always assumed that getting pregnant would be easy, that it would happen quickly and effortlessly. But now, as the months ticked by, she was beginning to realize that it wasn't that simple. Gerald tried to be supportive, but Ashley could see the worry in his eyes. He was concerned about her, about the possibility that she might be struggling with her eating disorder again. But Ashley knew that she wasn't. She had been working hard to maintain her recovery, and she was confident that she was in a good place. As they sat in their living room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of their home, Ashley felt a sense of restlessness. She got up and began to pace, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. "I'm fine, Gerald," she said, trying to reassure him. "I just need to relax, that's all." But as she looked at him, she could see the concern etched on his face. He didn't believe her, and Ashley couldn't blame him. She wasn't fine, not really. She was worried, and she was scared. What if she couldn't get pregnant? What if there was something wrong with her? The thoughts swirled in her mind, making her feel anxious and uncertain. Gerald got up and put his arms around her. "We'll get through this, Ashley," he said. "We'll try everything, and we'll find a way to make it work." Ashley felt a surge of love and gratitude towards him. She knew that she was lucky to have him by her side, and she was determined to face this challenge head-on. As they hugged, Ashley felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She would get through this, no matter what it took. She would find a way to overcome this obstacle, and she would come out stronger on the other side. But for now, she just held onto Gerald, and let him hold her. She needed the comfort and reassurance, and she knew that he would be there for her, every step of the way.