"A Night of Ease and Uncertainty"

As the evening wore on, Ashley decided to give in and make things easier on herself and Alex. She knew that sometimes, battles just weren't worth fighting, and tonight was one of those nights. She handed Alex the iPad, and he eagerly took it, his eyes lighting up as he turned it on. As the screen flickered to life, he began to scroll through his favorite cartoons, and Ashley took the opportunity to sit down next to him with a slice of pizza. To her surprise, as soon as Alex started watching his show, he began to eat again, picking at his nuggets with renewed interest. Ashley watched him with a mixture of relief and amusement, feeling a sense of gratitude that the iPad had become a trusty ally in times of need. As she started eating, Ashley realized just how hungry she was. The pizza was hot and gooey, and she savored each bite, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. For a few moments, she was able to forget about the emotional turmoil of the day and just enjoy her food. But as she ate, her mind began to wander back to the conversation she needed to have with Alex. She knew that eventually, she would have to tell him about the new baby, and she was dreading it. How would he react to the news that he would soon have a new baby sister? Would he be excited, or would he feel threatened and jealous? Ashley thought back to when Avan had first told her about his desire to have more children. She had been hesitant, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their current family dynamic. But now, as she looked at Alex, she knew that she wanted to do what was best for him, and for their family. She just wasn't sure what that was. As she finished her pizza and Alex continued to eat and watch his show, Ashley felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. She knew that the coming days and weeks would be filled with challenges and conversations, but for now, she was just going to enjoy the quiet of the evening, and the simple pleasure of being with her son.