A Quiet Night's Reflection

As the evening slowly came to a close, Ashley gently coaxed Alex to wrap up his cartoon show and begin getting ready for bed. He grumbled good-naturedly, but eventually surrendered to the idea of cleaning up and changing into his pajamas. Ashley helped him brush his teeth and wash his face, trying to savor the quiet moments they shared as they went through their bedtime routine. As Alex climbed into bed and snuggled under the covers, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over her. She remembered the countless nights she had spent tucking him in, reading him bedtime stories, and singing lullabies to help him drift off to sleep. It seemed like just yesterday he was a tiny, helpless infant, and now he was growing up to be a big, independent boy. Once Alex was settled, Ashley crawled into bed beside him, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she sank into the softness of the mattress. She picked up her phone and began scrolling through social media, her mind still preoccupied with the conversation she needed to have with Alex about the new baby. As she scrolled, she stumbled upon a post from a friend who was also expecting a new baby. The post was filled with excited updates and photos of baby gear, and Ashley found herself clicking on the links to check out the different products. Before she knew it, she was ordering a few things online, including a baby monitor, a crib, and a changing table. As she placed the order, Ashley felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. Excitement and anticipation wrestled with anxiety and uncertainty, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was getting a little ahead of herself. She was still getting used to the idea of having another baby, and now she was ordering baby items like it was a done deal. Holding her stomach, Ashley felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She tried to brush it off as fatigue, but deep down, she knew it was something more. She was pregnant, and her body was already undergoing changes. As she lay there, Ashley reached over to her nightstand and grabbed her calendar. She flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the dates until she found the one marked for Avan's return home. It was still a month away, and Ashley felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. How would she break the news to Alex? How would Avan react when he found out? And how would they all adjust to the new addition to their family? As she lay there, her mind racing with questions and worries, Ashley felt her eyelids growing heavy. She knew she needed to get some rest, but her mind was still reeling with thoughts and emotions. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm her racing thoughts and drift off to sleep.