Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 21: New Beginnings, Fresh Hopes

As Mya and Jaylen settled into their new routine of balancing parenthood and finding time for themselves, life began to take on a different kind of rhythm—one that felt more balanced, more grounded. Zaria continued to grow quickly, and with each passing day, she revealed more of her personality. Her giggles filled the house, and her little milestones—grabbing toys, trying to roll over—were celebrated like the greatest achievements.

One morning, as Mya sat on the floor with Zaria, helping her practice sitting up, she couldn't help but marvel at how much had changed. Her life, once so tightly focused on her career and building her brand, had shifted in ways she hadn't expected. Yet, she found herself feeling more fulfilled than ever.

Jaylen was in the kitchen, making breakfast and humming quietly to himself. Mya glanced over at him, her heart swelling with love. They had come so far together, and despite the ups and downs, they had managed to keep their love strong through it all.

Zaria reached for one of her toys, her chubby hands grabbing at the colorful stuffed giraffe. Mya watched her daughter with a soft smile, feeling the warmth of the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. Life had taken on a slower, more intentional pace, and while there were still moments of chaos, Mya was learning to appreciate the quiet ones too.

Jaylen came over with two plates of pancakes, setting one down in front of Mya before sitting next to her on the floor.

"She's gettin' strong," Jaylen said, watching as Zaria wobbled a little but managed to keep herself upright for a few seconds before tumbling gently onto her side.

Mya chuckled. "I know. She's gonna be crawling before we know it."

Jaylen grinned. "And then it's really gonna get wild around here."

Mya nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and a bit of nervousness. Zaria growing up so quickly was a beautiful thing, but it also reminded Mya of how fast time was passing. The days of Zaria being a tiny newborn, cradled in their arms, were slipping away.

"I've been thinkin'," Mya said after a moment, her voice quiet.

Jaylen looked over at her, his brow raised. "About what?"

Mya took a deep breath. "About work. About how to ease back into it. I've been taking this time to focus on Zaria and get my footing as a mom, but I'm starting to miss my business. I think I'm ready to start working again... part-time, at least."

Jaylen nodded, listening carefully. "You've been doing an amazing job with Zaria, Mya. And I know you love what you do. You think you're ready to jump back in?"

Mya bit her lip, glancing over at Zaria, who was now chewing on her giraffe toy. "I think so. I miss it, but I also don't want to overwhelm myself. I want to be present for Zaria and still make time for us. But maybe if I start slow, take on a few projects here and there, I can find that balance."

Jaylen smiled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "I think that sounds like a great idea. You can take it at your own pace. And you know I'll be here to help however you need."

Mya felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been toying with the idea of going back to work for weeks, but now that she had voiced it, she realized how important it was to her. She had built her business from the ground up, and while being a mom was her top priority, she didn't want to lose the part of her that loved the hustle and the creativity that came with her work.

"I'll start small," Mya said, nodding to herself. "Maybe reach out to a few clients, see if they need help with anything simple."

Jaylen grinned. "You got this. I know you do."

A few days later, Mya found herself sitting at her desk, her laptop open as she drafted an email to a couple of her old clients. It felt surreal to be back in her workspace after months of focusing solely on motherhood, but it also felt good. Familiar. She was ready to get back to work, even if it was just in small doses.

Zaria was napping in her crib, and the house was quiet. Mya typed quickly, her fingers moving over the keys with ease. It was like riding a bike—she hadn't forgotten the ins and outs of her business. It just took a little adjustment to get back into the groove.

As she hit "send" on the email, Mya leaned back in her chair and let out a long breath. It felt like a weight had lifted off her shoulders. She could do this. She could be a mom and still have a career. It was all about finding that balance, something she had learned over the past few months.

She closed her laptop and stood up, walking over to the window and looking out at the sunny day. Her life had changed in so many ways since Zaria was born, but it had also grown in ways she hadn't anticipated. She was stronger than she had realized, and she had a support system that made all the difference.

Just as she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed. Mya glanced down and saw it was a text from Layla.

Layla: Girl, we need to plan a girls' day soon. I miss you!

Mya smiled, feeling a burst of excitement at the thought. She hadn't had much time for herself outside of motherhood, and the idea of a day out with her friends sounded like exactly what she needed.

Mya: I miss you too! Let's plan something soon. I think I'm ready for a little me-time. 😅

Layla: Finally! I'll put together some ideas, and we'll make it happen. You deserve it, girl!

Mya put her phone down, feeling grateful for Layla's friendship. Having a strong circle of support had been crucial during this time, and Mya knew that leaning on her friends was part of maintaining that balance she was striving for.

Later that evening, after Zaria had gone to sleep and the house had quieted down, Mya and Jaylen sat on the porch, enjoying the warm night air. It had become their nightly ritual—a time to reconnect after the chaos of the day and talk about whatever was on their minds.

"I reached out to a couple of clients today," Mya said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Jaylen turned to her, smiling. "Yeah? How'd it go?"

Mya nodded. "It felt good. I'm taking it slow, just offering help with small projects. But it feels nice to get back into it."

Jaylen squeezed her hand. "I'm proud of you, Mya. You're finding your groove again."

Mya smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "I think I am. It's taken a while, but I'm getting there."

They sat in silence for a while, watching the stars twinkle above them. Mya leaned her head against Jaylen's shoulder, feeling the weight of the past few months fall away.

Life wasn't perfect, but it was good. They were building something real—something full of love, hard work, and shared dreams. And as Mya thought about the future, she knew there were still challenges ahead, but she was ready for them.

With Zaria by their side and Jaylen's unwavering support, Mya felt more confident than ever that they could handle whatever came their way.

They were a family, and together, they were unstoppable.

This was their new beginning, and Mya was ready to embrace it fully.