The Real Housewives of Potomac's Michael Darby Opens Up About Starting a Family with Ashley Darby

Ashley Darby hasn't been shy about her desire to start a family. We mean, she's had her sights set on having a Gemini or Leo baby since Season 1 of The Real Housewives of Potomac. But since we've known Ashley, it's seemed that she hasn't really been able to make much progress on her baby plans; first, because she was trying to break even on her restaurant, Oz, and then, because her husband, Michael Darby, appeared hesitant to start a family this season of RHOP. 

So we imagine that RHOP fans were pretty surprised when Ashley and Michael revealed that they have been trying for a family at this season's reunion (clip above). And we know fans were heartbroken to hear that Ashley and Michael had conceived, but they unfortunately suffered a miscarriage and lost the baby. 

But that emotional moment almost didn't happen. "Michael didn't want us to share it with everybody. He wanted to keep it fairly private and to ourselves," Ashley explained on Instagram Live following Part 2 of the RHOP reunion Sunday night. "It felt incumbent upon us to clue everybody in as to what was happening when Michael and I had the miscarriage." 

Michael added on Instagram Live that he just wasn't sure if Ashley was ready to open up about her miscarriage, which happened about a week before the reunion. "I don't think people really realize what a major thing that was for Ashley to share such an important part of her life," he said.

Michael had tears in his eyes during this emotional moment at the reunion. He described what it felt like to lose the baby on Instagram Live. "We had that moment, that incredible moment where you announce that you're pregnant. We had that, but it was taken away from us so quickly. The joy that we had was really destroyed almost too soon to appreciate everything we had," he shared. "It was tough for me, but I felt for you that you as a young woman ready to have a baby, announced it, we celebrated it, we looked at each other, and the love we had for each other was so strong. Boom, it was taken away." 

That's when Ashley's question about whether or not Michael actually wanted to start a family with her was finally answered. "I felt like you were happy, but I don't know if you were fully in," she said of when she got pregnant. "When we lost the baby, you had this sadness that showed me that you really cared about us having a family." 

Michael underscored his desire to have children with Ashley. "What I think everyone needs to understand is what they see about our relationship, we have a connection, and age is not important. It's a love and a respect for each other, and I want to have a baby with this woman," he explained. "I don't think anyone believed it the way it looked during the season, but there were other things going on." 

Despite this recent setback, Ashley said that she and Michael are continuing to try for a baby today. "Michael and I are readily fertilizing and hoping that a little Mickshley will be here," she said. "Still hoping for a Gemini or Leo baby." 

Something positive has even come out of this tragic time in Ashley and Michael's marriage. "If anything, I feel like we're even closer now than we have ever were before," she shared. "I don't know if I've ever felt this connected to you in the whole time we've been married." 

Ashley opened up more about the steps she's taking to try to have a happy and healthy pregnancy backstage at this season's RHOP reunion, which you can check out, below.

More From Ashley Darby on Her Baby Plans