Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 22: Embracing the Journey

Mya's life began to feel more like a delicate dance as she stepped into her new reality—juggling motherhood, rekindling her passion for work, and making time for herself. As much as she wanted to maintain control over everything, she'd learned to accept that some days were more chaotic than others, and that was okay. The key was learning to flow with it.

One sunny afternoon, Mya sat on the porch, watching Zaria playing in her little playpen on the lawn. Zaria had recently mastered sitting up on her own, and she was now obsessed with grabbing every toy within her reach, her chubby hands clumsily maneuvering the colorful blocks. Mya watched her with pride, marveling at how quickly her baby girl was growing.

Mya was on her laptop, answering a few emails and working on a small marketing campaign she'd picked up from one of her clients. It wasn't anything overwhelming, but it made her feel like she was still in the game. It was a reminder that she could have both—a career and motherhood.

Just as she was typing out a response, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced down to see it was Layla.

Layla: Guess what?! Girls' day is officially planned! Get ready to have some FUN. 🥳💅🏽

Mya chuckled, shaking her head.

Mya: I can't wait! I need a break from mommy duties for real 😅.

She was genuinely looking forward to it. Since Zaria was born, Mya hadn't had much time for herself outside of the occasional quiet evening on the porch with Jaylen. Layla's excitement was contagious, and Mya couldn't help but feel a burst of anticipation for a day spent with her best friends.

Zaria squealed from the playpen, waving her little giraffe toy around. Mya put her laptop down and walked over to her, scooping her up and peppering kisses all over her chubby cheeks. Zaria giggled, her laughter bright and full of joy, and Mya felt her heart swell with love.

"You're my everything, you know that?" Mya whispered, holding Zaria close.

Zaria cooed, her tiny fingers grabbing at Mya's hair.

Later that evening, after Zaria had gone to bed, Mya and Jaylen sat on the couch, flipping through a movie they'd half-heartedly chosen but weren't really watching. Mya was leaning into Jaylen's side, her feet tucked under her as she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.

"Layla's got girls' day planned," Mya said, breaking the comfortable silence. "She's hyped."

Jaylen chuckled, pulling her closer. "That sounds like a good time. You deserve it, babe. You been goin' nonstop for months."

Mya nodded, grateful for his encouragement. "I'm excited, but also a little nervous about leaving Zaria again. It's crazy—I know she'll be fine, but it's hard not to feel guilty about wanting a break."

Jaylen gave her a soft, understanding look. "I get it. But you need this, Mya. You've been doin' everything for her and for us, and it's okay to take time for yourself. Zaria will be fine for a few hours. You know Layla or your mom would jump at the chance to watch her."

Mya sighed, resting her head against Jaylen's chest. "You're right. It's just hard to let go sometimes."

Jaylen kissed the top of her head. "We're in this together, remember? We're figuring it out, but you don't have to do it all. You've got people around you who love you and Zaria. Lean on them."

Mya smiled, feeling reassured. She knew Jaylen was right. She wasn't doing this alone, and she needed to give herself permission to take a break every now and then.

The day of the girls' outing came quickly, and Mya was both excited and nervous. Layla had planned a full day—starting with brunch and ending with a spa trip. Mya hadn't realized how much she missed the simplicity of hanging out with her friends, laughing over mimosas, and just being herself without worrying about diaper changes and feedings.

When Mya arrived at the brunch spot downtown, Layla was already waiting at a table with two other friends, Keisha and Renee. They greeted her with hugs and big smiles.

"There she is! The supermom herself!" Layla exclaimed, standing up to give Mya a tight hug. "Girl, we've been waiting on you."

Mya laughed, feeling instantly relaxed in their presence. "I'm here, I'm here. I wouldn't miss this."

They all sat down, the conversation flowing effortlessly as they ordered food and drinks. Mya hadn't laughed this much in a long time, and it felt good—freeing even. For a few hours, she could just be Mya, not Mya-the-mom or Mya-the-businesswoman. Just her, surrounded by friends who loved and supported her.

"So," Layla said between bites of her avocado toast, "How you been? How's Zaria? You know we need updates."

Mya grinned, pulling out her phone to show them pictures of Zaria. "She's getting so big, you guys. I can't believe it. She's sitting up now, and she's already trying to crawl. It's wild."

The table erupted with excited reactions, everyone leaning in to see the photos and gush over how cute Zaria was.

"And how are you doing?" Keisha asked, her tone more serious. "Like, outside of being a mom? How are you holding up?"

Mya paused, thinking about the question for a moment. "I'm doing better," she said honestly. "It's been hard adjusting, but I'm starting to find my balance again. I've even started picking up some small work projects. It's been nice to reconnect with that part of myself."

Layla beamed. "That's what we like to hear! You've been killing it as a mom, but I love that you're getting back to your own groove too."

Mya nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her friends. They had been there for her through everything, and now, sitting here with them, she realized how much she had missed this part of her life.

After brunch, they headed to the spa, where Mya fully let herself relax for the first time in months. The massage soothed all the tension she hadn't even realized she was carrying, and the quiet stillness of the spa felt like a reset button for her mind. By the time they were done, Mya felt lighter, like she had finally let go of all the pressure she had been putting on herself.

When they said their goodbyes later that evening, Layla hugged her tightly. "Don't wait so long for the next girls' day, okay? We need you out here too."

Mya smiled, feeling the truth of her words settle in. "I won't. I promise."

When Mya returned home that night, Zaria was already asleep, and Jaylen was sitting on the couch, watching a game on TV. He glanced up as she walked in, smiling when he saw her.

"How was it?" he asked, standing up to greet her with a kiss.

Mya grinned, feeling refreshed. "It was amazing. I didn't realize how much I needed that."

Jaylen wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I'm glad you went. You seem more relaxed."

Mya nodded, leaning into him. "I am. It was exactly what I needed."

They sat down together, Mya curling up beside him as they talked about the day. She told him about brunch, the spa, and how good it felt to reconnect with her friends. Jaylen listened, his hand resting on her knee, his presence comforting and steady.

As the night wore on, Mya reflected on how much had changed since Zaria was born. Her life was fuller, richer, and more complex than ever before, but it was also filled with love and support from all the people around her.

She had found her rhythm again, and while she knew there would still be challenges ahead, Mya felt more grounded and more confident than she had in a long time.

This was her journey—motherhood, work, love, friendship—and she was embracing it fully.

And as she rested her head on Jaylen's shoulder, Mya knew one thing for sure: she was exactly where she was meant to be.