Chapter 28: A Glimmer of Hope

The nurse's gentle voice broke into Ashley's thoughts as she entered the room with a warm smile. "How are you doing, Ashley? I'm going to get you all settled in and comfortable." Ashley's eyes fluttered open, and she reached out to grab the nurse's hand, her grip tight with anxiety. "What caused the bleeding?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. The nurse's expression turned sympathetic, and she sat down beside Ashley's bed. "The doctor will explain everything in detail, but from what we can tell, it looks like you had a bit of a placental abruption. That's when the placenta separates from the uterus, and it can cause bleeding." Ashley's eyes widened in fear as she processed the information. "Is my baby really okay?" she asked, her voice trembling. The nurse squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Yes, Ashley, your baby is okay. The doctor said the fetal heartbeat is strong and steady, and the ultrasound looked good. You're going to be okay, and the baby is going to be just fine." Ashley felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was short-lived as more questions flooded her mind. "What happened? Was it something I did? Did I not take care of myself properly?" The nurse's expression turned gentle. "Ashley, it's not anything you did or didn't do. Sometimes these things just happen, and they're not preventable. The important thing is that you're here, and you're getting the care you need." Ashley took a deep breath, trying to process everything that had happened. She looked at the nurse, her eyes searching for reassurance. "I just want to make sure my baby is okay. I want to hold them in my arms and know that they're safe." The nurse smiled and nodded. "You will, Ashley. You will. And we'll be here to support you every step of the way."