Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 25: Embracing the Unknown

The days after Mya's conversation with Jaylen seemed to move both quickly and slowly at once. There was the usual routine—caring for Zaria, work projects trickling in, and conversations about Jaylen's promotion. Yet, there was also the looming shift that they both knew was coming, a quiet anticipation of how their lives were about to change once again.

One morning, Mya stood in the kitchen, making breakfast while Zaria played on her mat nearby. Jaylen was on the phone in the next room, having another conversation with his boss about the promotion. Mya could hear snippets of the conversation, and though Jaylen had promised not to make any decisions until they talked everything through again, Mya could feel that the wheels were already in motion.

She stirred the eggs in the pan, glancing over at Zaria, who was babbling to herself, her little hands reaching for the stuffed giraffe that had quickly become her favorite toy. Mya smiled softly, the sight of her daughter always grounding her.

Jaylen walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, his phone call finished, and leaned against the counter, watching Mya with a thoughtful expression.

"How's everything going?" Mya asked, turning off the stove and setting the eggs on two plates.

Jaylen sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Good, I think. They're offering the promotion officially. It's mine if I want it."

Mya nodded, not surprised by the news. She handed him his plate and sat down at the kitchen table, her mind racing with thoughts about what this new chapter would mean for their family.

Jaylen sat across from her, his expression serious. "I haven't given them my answer yet. I wanted to talk to you first."

Mya took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. She had been thinking about this moment for days, preparing herself for the reality of Jaylen's new role and what it would mean for them. She didn't want to hold him back—he deserved this. But the fear of the unknown still lingered in the back of her mind.

"I think you should take it," Mya said softly, her voice steady. "It's a big opportunity, and I know you've worked hard for it."

Jaylen's eyes searched hers, his brow furrowed slightly. "But?"

Mya smiled, appreciating how well he knew her. "But... it's going to be a big adjustment. We're used to doing everything together, and with you being away more, it's going to change things. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not nervous, but I think we can handle it."

Jaylen nodded, reaching across the table to take her hand. "I don't want this promotion to put too much pressure on you, Mya. If it ever feels like it's too much, you have to let me know. I don't want to miss out on time with you and Zaria."

Mya squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with love for him. "We'll make it work. It's going to take some adjusting, but I believe in us. We've gotten through so much together already. This is just another step."

Jaylen leaned back, relief washing over his face. "You're right. We always figure it out, don't we?"

Mya smiled. "We do."

The following week, Jaylen officially accepted the promotion. Mya watched him navigate the new responsibilities with the same calm, confident demeanor he always had, but she could tell there was an underlying tension in him—he wanted to be sure they were all okay with this change.

As Jaylen's schedule started to shift, with more meetings and discussions about future projects, Mya leaned heavily on her support system. Layla, her mom, and even Melody, who had become more like a friend than just a client, were all there for her. They helped with Zaria when Mya needed time to work, offered emotional support when she needed a break, and provided a sense of community that Mya had learned to appreciate more than ever.