A New Support System

Ashley pulled up to her sister's house, feeling a mix of emotions as she stepped out of the car. She had been wanting to share her pregnancy with someone, but there was one person she desperately wanted to share it with - Ryan. She had always imagined telling him together, holding hands, and excitement radiating from their faces. But life had other plans. As she approached her sister's door, Ashley took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. She raised her hand and knocked on the door. Before she could even process the knock, the door swung open, and her niece and nephew, Mia and Joey, burst out, hugging her tightly and yelling excitedly. "Aunt Ashley! Aunt Ashley!" they chimed in unison, their tiny arms wrapped around her waist. Ashley laughed, feeling a warmth in her chest as she hugged them back. She had always loved spending time with her niece and nephew, and now she couldn't help but think about the little one growing inside her. As she pulled back, her sister, Emily, appeared in the doorway, a concerned expression on her face. "Ash, hey, what's going on? We weren't expecting you today." Ashley smiled, taking a deep breath. She had been wanting to share her news with Emily, and now seemed like the perfect time. "I needed to talk to you about something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Emily's expression softened, and she ushered Ashley inside, with Mia and Joey still bouncing around them. As they entered the house, Ashley felt a sense of comfort wash over her. She had always felt safe with her sister, and now she knew she needed her support more than ever. As they sat down in the living room, Emily asked, "What's going on, Ash? You can tell me anything." Ashley took another deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm pregnant," she said, the words tumbling out of her mouth. The room fell silent, and for a moment, Ashley worried that she had made a mistake sharing her news. But then Emily's face lit up with a warm smile, and she opened her arms, pulling Ashley into a tight hug. "Oh, Ash, congratulations!" Emily exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Ashley felt a lump form in her throat as she hugged her sister back, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she still had a long way to go, but with Emily by her side, she felt like she could face anything.