Chapter 42: A Change in Plans

Ashley stood outside Emma's bedroom door, her hand hesitating on the doorknob as memories of the little girl's last birthday party flooded her mind. This was the first time she had been in Emma's room since the party, and she felt a pang of nostalgia wash over her. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door, stepping inside. The room was just as she had left it, with the unicorn bed sheets still on Emma's bed and her favorite Barbie dolls scattered across the floor. The number 3 balloon that Emma had been so excited about was still tied to the bedpost, its shiny surface reflecting the morning light streaming through the window. Ashley smiled as she walked over to the bed and sat down, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. As she sat there, surrounded by the remnants of Emma's childhood, Ashley's mind turned to the task at hand. She had to tell everyone in the family about the mix-up with the baby's gender, and she knew it wouldn't be easy. But first, she needed to talk to Alev. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number, her heart racing with anticipation. When he answered, she took a deep breath and blurted out the news. "Alev, you won't believe what just happened. The doctor called, and it turns out we're having a boy!" There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Ashley worried that Alev was upset. But then he laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that made her smile. "Well, I guess that's a surprise," he said. "But you know what? I'm excited. A boy or a girl, it doesn't matter. We're having a baby, and that's all that counts." Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was glad Alev was taking the news so well. "I know, right?" she said. "I was a little shocked at first, but I'm really excited now. We get to start all over again and plan for a little boy instead of a little girl." Alev chuckled. "And we get to keep all the pink stuff," he said. Ashley laughed. "Yeah, that's true. But we'll figure it out. We always do." With Alev on board, Ashley felt more confident about breaking the news to the rest of the family. She stood up, smoothing out her clothes, and headed out of Emma's room, ready to face whatever reactions came her way. First on her list was her mom, who was likely to be the most surprised of all. Ashley took a deep breath and headed downstairs, her phone still clutched in her hand. She found her mom in the kitchen, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone. "Mom, we need to talk," Ashley said, her voice a little hesitant. Her mom looked up, a questioning expression on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked. Ashley took a deep breath and launched into the story, telling her mom about the doctor's call and the mix-up with the baby's gender. Her mom's expression changed from concern to shock, and then to delight. "A boy?" she exclaimed. "Oh, Ashley, I'm so excited! A little boy is going to be just as adorable as a little girl." Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. It was going to be okay. Her mom was going to be just fine. Next, Ashley headed to find her dad, who was watching TV in the living room. She told him the news, and he grinned, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Well, I guess that's a surprise," he said. "But we're going to love that little boy just as much as we would have loved a little girl." Ashley smiled, feeling grateful for her family's love and support. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever came next. With her parents on board, Ashley felt more confident about telling the rest of the family. She headed to the backyard, where her aunts, uncles, and cousins were all gathered, still celebrating the gender reveal from the day before. As she stood before them, Ashley took a deep breath and announced the news. "Everyone, I have something to tell you. There's been a mix-up with the baby's gender. We're actually having a boy!" The room fell silent, and for a moment, Ashley worried that everyone was upset. But then, slowly, smiles began to spread across their faces. "A boy?" her aunt exclaimed. "That's wonderful! We're going to love him just as much as we would have loved a girl." Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. It was going to be okay. Her family was going to be just fine. As they all hugged and congratulated her, Ashley knew that this was just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives. They were having a baby boy, and they couldn't wait to meet him.