The Moment of Truth

Ashley clutched Avan's arm, her eyes wide with fear as she doubled over in pain. "It's starting," she whispered, her voice trembling. Avan's expression changed from calm to concern in an instant. "Are you sure?" he asked, his hands scanning her face for any sign of distress. Ashley nodded, taking a deep breath. "I've been feeling it for a few minutes now. It's a dull ache, but it's getting stronger." She paused, wincing as another wave of pain washed over her. "I think it's labor." Avan quickly sprang into action, helping Ashley to her feet. "Let's get you to the hospital," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. As they made their way to the car, Ashley couldn't help but feel a growing sense of panic. She was 38 weeks pregnant, and while she had prepared for this moment, she wasn't sure if she was ready. What if something went wrong? What if she couldn't handle the pain? The drive to the hospital seemed to take forever, Ashley's anxiety building with each passing minute. She gripped Avan's hand tightly, her knuckles white with tension. When they arrived at the hospital, Avan quickly parked the car and helped Ashley out. They rushed inside, Ashley's pain growing more intense with each step. As they reached the reception desk, Avan explained their situation to the nurse, who quickly ushered them to a room. "Let's get you checked in and see how far along you are," she said with a warm smile. Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over her as the nurse began to examine her. "You're dilated to about 3 centimeters," she said. "We're going to get you settled in and monitored. It looks like labor is progressing nicely." Ashley let out a shaky breath, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was scared, but she was also excited. She was about to meet her baby boy. Avan sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. "You're doing great," he said, his eyes filled with reassurance. "I'm here for you, every step of the way." Ashley smiled weakly, feeling a surge of love for her partner. She knew she couldn't do this without him. As the nurse continued to monitor her, Ashley couldn't help but think about the past few weeks. They had finalized the nursery, picked out a beautiful name for their baby boy - Alexander - and were ready for his arrival. But now that the moment was here, she wasn't so sure. The pain was getting stronger, and Ashley was starting to feel overwhelmed. She looked up at Avan, her eyes searching for comfort. "I'm scared," she whispered. Avan pulled her close, holding her tightly. "I'm here," he said. "You're not alone. We'll get through this together."