**The Growing Concern**

Ten months had passed since Alex's arrival, and Ashley and Avan's concerns had grown exponentially. They had been waiting for what felt like an eternity for him to reach certain milestones, but so far, he had shown no signs of improvement. He still couldn't hold objects, not even with assistance, and his inability to sit up without toppling over was starting to become a major issue. But it was his lack of babbling that worried them the most. At ten months old, most babies were starting to form words and even short sentences, but Alex remained eerily silent. Ashley and Avan had been to see the doctor multiple times, and each visit had brought more questions than answers. The doctor had reassured them that every baby developed at their own pace, but as the months went by, it was becoming increasingly clear that something was amiss. They had tried to engage Alex in conversation, reading to him and talking to him constantly, but he just didn't seem interested. As they sat in their living room, watching Alex lie on his back, kicking his legs and flailing his arms, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. They had been trying to be patient, to give him the time he needed, but it was getting harder and harder to stay optimistic. Avan, sensing her distress, put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I know it's hard, but we have to stay positive," he said, his voice soft and soothing. "We'll get through this, together." Ashley nodded, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. But as she looked at Alex, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. What if he never learned to talk? What if he never crawled or walked? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. The doctor had suggested that they start taking Alex to see a specialist, a pediatric therapist who could help him with his developmental delays. Ashley and Avan had been hesitant at first, but now they were desperate for any help they could get. As they waited for the appointment to be scheduled, Ashley and Avan tried to stay focused on the present moment. They played with Alex, trying to get him to engage with them, but it was like he was in his own little world. They showed him toys, made funny faces, and even tried to get him to mimic them, but he just stared back, his big brown eyes taking it all in. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. Ashley and Avan were at their wit's end, unsure of what to do or where to turn. They felt like they were losing their baby, like he was slipping away from them, and they didn't know how to stop it. As they lay in bed that night, Ashley turned to Avan, her eyes brimming with tears. "What if we're too late?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Avan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "We'll do everything we can," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We'll get him the help he needs, and we'll be there for him every step of the way." But as they drifted off to sleep, Ashley couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out, and that their little boy was falling further and further behind.