Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 23: The Art of Balance

L

As the weeks passed, Mya found herself slipping back into a rhythm she hadn't realized she missed. Balancing her growing business with motherhood wasn't easy, but she was learning the art of delegation—both in work and in life. She leaned on Jaylen more when she needed it, trusted Layla and her mom with Zaria, and began taking on work projects that excited her but didn't overwhelm her.

One sunny morning, Mya sat in her home office, going over some notes for a new client she'd just landed. Zaria was down for her morning nap, and the house was peacefully quiet. She tapped her pen against the desk, looking over her to-do list. It felt good to be working again, to feel that familiar spark of creativity as she mapped out her client's social media strategy.

Jaylen popped his head into the office, smiling when he saw her deep in thought. "Hey, I was thinking of taking Zaria out for a little while when she wakes up—give you some time to work in peace. What do you think?"

Mya glanced up, grateful for the gesture. "That sounds perfect. I've got a few things I need to knock out this morning."

Jaylen nodded. "Cool. We'll head to the park for a bit, maybe grab some lunch."

Mya smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Jaylen had always been supportive, but since Zaria was born, he'd really stepped up in ways she hadn't even known she needed. They were truly a team, and she loved how intentional he was about making sure she had time to focus on herself too.

"Thanks, Jay," Mya said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Jaylen walked over, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You'd be just fine. But I'm glad you don't have to do it without me."

Mya grinned, watching him as he walked out of the office. She felt a sense of peace settle over her as she turned back to her work, ready to dive in.

Later that afternoon, after Jaylen and Zaria had left for their little outing, Mya found herself lost in her work. She had forgotten how much she loved this—the brainstorming, the strategy, the creative process. As much as she adored being Zaria's mom, this part of her life—the entrepreneur, the businesswoman—was something she didn't want to lose.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her concentration. It was an email notification. She clicked it open and saw a response from one of her biggest clients, Melody, the cafe owner she'd been working with before Zaria was born.

Melody: Hey Mya, so glad to hear you're back in the game! I've got a few new ideas for the cafe, and I'd love to get your input. How's your schedule looking next week? Let's meet up!

Mya smiled, feeling a surge of excitement. Working with Melody had always been fun and fulfilling, and she was excited to reconnect now that she was getting back into the swing of things.

She quickly typed out a response:

Mya: Hey Melody! I'd love to meet up and hear what you've got in mind. How about Tuesday? Let's grab lunch and catch up.

After sending the email, Mya leaned back in her chair, letting the satisfaction wash over her. It felt good to be back, but it also felt different this time. She wasn't the same person she was before Zaria was born. Now, she had a new sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of balance. She was more intentional with her time, more protective of her energy.

Just as she was finishing up her work, Mya heard the front door open. She glanced at the clock and realized Jaylen and Zaria were back from their outing. She stood up, stretching her arms as she walked into the living room.

Jaylen was sitting on the couch with Zaria in his lap, the two of them smiling and babbling at each other like they had their own little secret language. Mya's heart swelled at the sight.

"How was the park?" she asked, walking over to sit beside them.

Jaylen grinned. "It was great. Zaria loved watching the other kids run around. She's gonna be crawling soon, I can feel it."

Mya laughed, reaching over to tickle Zaria's belly. "I can't believe how fast she's growing. Sometimes I want to freeze time."

Zaria squealed, her little hands grabbing at Mya's fingers as she giggled. Mya's heart melted, as it always did when she saw her daughter's sweet smile.

"By the way," Jaylen said, his tone shifting slightly. "I've been thinkin' about something."

Mya looked up, curious. "What's that?"

"I've been talking with a few people from work, and there's an opportunity coming up that could be a big step for us," Jaylen said, his voice calm but serious. "It would mean some changes, but I think it could be worth it."

Mya's brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Changes? What kind of changes?"

Jaylen shifted Zaria onto his other knee, glancing at Mya. "There's a chance for me to take on more responsibility at work—a promotion, basically. But it would mean a busier schedule for me. More travel, more hours."

Mya paused, processing what he was saying. She knew Jaylen had been doing well at work, but the idea of him being gone more often made her heart sink a little. Still, she could see the excitement in his eyes, and she knew how much this opportunity meant to him.

"How much more travel are we talking about?" Mya asked, her voice gentle.

"Maybe a few weeks at a time, depending on the projects," Jaylen said carefully. "But it wouldn't be all the time. Just in spurts."

Mya nodded slowly, thinking about what this would mean for their family. She wanted to support Jaylen's ambitions, just as he had supported hers, but she also knew that balancing everything was already a challenge. If he was away more often, things would get even more complicated.

"I want this for you, Jay," Mya said after a moment, her voice steady. "I know how hard you've worked, and I'm proud of you. But we need to make sure we're both ready for what this means."

Jaylen nodded, his eyes softening. "I know. That's why I wanted to talk to you about it first. We don't have to make any decisions right now. I just wanted to put it on your radar."

Mya leaned in, kissing his cheek. "Thanks for telling me. We'll figure it out together, like we always do."

Jaylen smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, we will."

That night, after Zaria had gone to sleep and the house was quiet, Mya and Jaylen sat on the porch, as they often did, reflecting on the day.

"I'm excited for you," Mya said softly, looking out at the stars. "This opportunity could be huge."

Jaylen nodded, his hand resting on her knee. "Yeah, it could be. But I don't want to rush into anything without making sure we're all good at home. I don't want to be gone all the time, missing out on Zaria growing up."

Mya smiled, appreciating his thoughtfulness. "We'll figure it out. If this is what you want, we'll make it work. We've always found a way to make things work."

Jaylen leaned in, kissing her softly. "That's why I love you, Mya. You always got my back."

Mya smiled against his lips. "Always."

As they sat there in the quiet, Mya felt the weight of their conversation settle in. Their lives were changing again, and while that brought uncertainty, it also brought new possibilities. They had come so far together, and now they were stepping into another chapter—one filled with new challenges, new opportunities, and new growth.

Mya was ready for it. They were ready for it.

Because, together, they could handle anything.