**Chapter 47: A Difficult Reality**

It had been a year since Alex had entered their lives, and the excitement and anticipation that had once filled Ashley and Avan's hearts had given way to worry and concern. As they sat in their friend Jodie's living room, watching her one-year-old daughter, Mia, run around with reckless abandon, Ashley and Avan couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. Mia was a whirlwind of energy, laughing and babbling as she chased after toys and climbed up onto furniture. She was a typical one-year-old, curious and adventurous, and Ashley and Avan couldn't help but compare her to Alex. As they sat there, they noticed that Alex was still lying on the mat, not even attempting to move or respond to his surroundings. Jodie, oblivious to the concerns that were etched on Ashley and Avan's faces, smiled proudly as she watched her daughter play. "Mia's really on the go now," she said, laughing. "She's at that stage where she just wants to explore everything." Ashley forced a smile, trying to be supportive, but Avan's eyes were fixed on Alex, who was still motionless on the mat. They had tried calling out his name, but he didn't even flinch. It was as if he was in his own little world, and Ashley and Avan were starting to worry that he might never come back to them. As they sat there, Ashley felt a lump form in her throat. She had been trying to stay positive, to believe that Alex would eventually catch up, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore the reality of their situation. Avan, sensing her distress, put a comforting arm around her shoulders. Jodie, noticing the tension, changed the subject. "So, how's work going?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Alex. But Ashley and Avan were too distracted to make small talk. They were both thinking about Alex, wondering what was wrong with him, and what they could do to help him. As they sat there, Ashley felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She had always imagined that her child would be running around, playing and laughing, but instead, Alex was still stuck in a world of his own. As they prepared to leave, Jodie walked them to the door, Mia still chattering and playing in the background. "Take care, guys," she said, hugging them tightly. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help." As they walked home, Ashley turned to Avan, her eyes brimming with tears. "What's wrong with him?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Avan's face was set in a determined expression. "We'll find out," he said, his voice firm. "We'll get him the help he needs, no matter what it takes." But as they walked, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time, and that their little boy was slipping further and further away from them.