The Night of Unexpected Change

That night, as Ashley and Alev settled into their cozy home, the pain she had been trying to brush off at the baby shower returned, this time with a vengeance. At first, it was just a dull ache in her lower back, but as the hours passed, it intensified, spreading to her abdomen and becoming a sharp, stabbing sensation that left her breathless. Alev noticed her discomfort and immediately went into caregiver mode, helping her into a warm bath and then getting her comfortable on the couch with a pillow under her feet. "It's probably just Braxton Hicks," he said reassuringly, "but if it gets worse, we'll head to the hospital." As the night wore on, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The contractions were getting closer together, and she could feel a pressure building in her pelvis. She tried to stay calm, but her body was telling her that something was happening. At 2:00 AM, Ashley woke up with a jolt, her body rigid with pain. "Alev, I think it's happening," she said, her voice trembling. Alev quickly got out of bed and came to her side, checking her contractions. "Let's get you into the car and head to the hospital," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. As they drove to the hospital, Ashley felt a mix of emotions: excitement, fear, and anticipation. She had been preparing for this moment for months, but she wasn't sure if she was ready. When they arrived at the hospital, the nurse quickly assessed Ashley's situation and confirmed that she was in labor. "You're 30 weeks pregnant, so we'll need to get you into the premature labor unit," she explained. Ashley's heart sank at the word "premature," but Alev was by her side, holding her hand and reassuring her that everything would be okay. As they wheeled her into the unit, Ashley couldn't help but wonder what the next few hours would bring. The doctor came in, and after examining Ashley, he explained that the baby was coming quickly. "We'll need to get you prepped for an emergency C-section," he said. Ashley's mind was racing as Alev held her hand, trying to comfort her. She knew that this wasn't the way they had planned for their baby to arrive, but she was grateful to have Alev by her side. As the medical team prepared for the surgery, Ashley felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. What would happen to her baby? Would everything be okay? Alev's calm and reassuring presence was all that got her through this moment. She knew that she could trust him to take care of her and their baby. The doctor's voice brought her back to reality. "Let's get started," he said. Ashley took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next. She knew that this was just the beginning of their journey as parents, and she was grateful to have Alev by her side.