"A Morning Like Any Other"

Ashley walked into the kitchen, the warm sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminating the space where she spent so much time cooking and baking for Ender. She had always loved mornings, and today was no exception. As she began to prepare breakfast, her mind was focused on making something special for her little boy. She cracked eggs into a bowl, mixed in flour, and added a dash of sugar, whipping up a batch of pancake batter. Ender loved pancakes, and Ashley was determined to make the perfect batch. As she heated the pan on the stovetop, Ashley added a handful of fresh blueberries, Ender's favorite topping. The sweet aroma wafted up, and Ashley's stomach growled in anticipation. She cooked the pancakes to a golden brown, flipping them with a practiced ease. Just as she finished cooking, Ender wandered into the kitchen, his bright eyes shining with excitement. "Pancakes, Mommy!" he exclaimed, climbing up onto his stool at the counter. Ashley smiled, handing him a plate piled high with fluffy pancakes and a drizzle of syrup. "Enjoy, baby," she said, ruffling his hair. As Ender dug in, Ashley sat down beside him, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. But as she settled into the chair, she began to feel a familiar creeping fatigue, a subtle warning sign that she couldn't ignore. Her joints were starting to ache, and a dull pain was spreading through her lower back. Ashley's heart sank as she recognized the unmistakable signs of a lupus flare brewing. She tried to push the feeling aside, focusing on Ender's happy chatter as he ate his breakfast. But the discomfort was growing, spreading through her body like a slow-moving fog. Ashley knew she needed to take it easy, to listen to her body and respond to its warning signs. But for now, she just sat, trying to savor the quiet morning moment with her son, even as her body began to betray her.