A New Beginning

Two months had passed since Ender's fragile form had first been placed in Ashley's arms, and now, thanks to the tireless efforts of the medical team, he was finally strong enough to be discharged. As Ashley sat in the hospital room, surrounded by the beeping of machines and the sterile smell of antiseptic, she felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and a hint of sadness. She was going to take her baby home, but she was doing it alone. Alev had promised to be there to take them home, but as the discharge time approached, he was nowhere to be found. Ashley had tried calling him, texting him, but there was only silence. She felt a pang of hurt and anger, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. She had to get Ender home, and she couldn't wait for Alev to get his act together. With the help of the nurse, Ashley carefully wrapped Ender in a soft blanket, making sure he was snug and comfortable. She then gently placed him in the car seat, checking the straps to ensure they were secure. As she did so, she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She was doing this; she was taking care of her baby, and she was doing it alone. Ashley took a deep breath, grabbed the car seat, and headed out of the hospital room. She made her way to the parking lot, her eyes scanning the crowded area for a familiar face. But Alev was nowhere to be seen. With a determined look on her face, Ashley spotted her car and quickly made her way towards it. She carefully placed the car seat in the back, buckling it in securely. As she started the engine, Ashley realized she needed to get home quickly. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number, her fingers flying across the screen. "Hey, can you come pick me up?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm at the hospital, and I need a ride home with Ender." There was a pause on the other end, and then a warm voice replied, "Of course, Ashley. I'll be right there. How's Ender doing?" Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "He's doing great. He's finally coming home." As she waited for her friend to arrive, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty about what the future held. But for now, she was just taking things one step at a time, focusing on getting her baby home safely. She glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as Ender slept peacefully in his car seat. She smiled, feeling a surge of love and protectiveness towards her little one. She was going to do everything in her power to give him the best life possible, and she was going to do it on her own terms.