Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 27: Navigating New Responsibilities

The next morning, Mya woke up with a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. The night before had been a reminder of the deep love she shared with Jaylen—a love that had weathered so much and still continued to grow. As the sunlight streamed through the curtains, she stretched in bed, listening to the faint sounds of Zaria babbling from her crib down the hall.

Jaylen was still asleep beside her, his arm draped over her waist. She smiled softly, appreciating the rare quiet moments before their busy day began. Careful not to wake him, Mya slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway to Zaria's room.

"Good morning, little one," Mya whispered as she entered the room, scooping Zaria up into her arms. Zaria giggled, her tiny hands grabbing at Mya's hair. "You're in a good mood today, huh?"

Mya changed Zaria's diaper and got her dressed before heading into the kitchen. She placed Zaria in her high chair and began preparing breakfast, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin. Life had its challenges, especially now with Jaylen's new responsibilities and her own growing workload, but in this moment, Mya felt grounded. They were building something strong together, and that gave her a sense of purpose and calm.

A few minutes later, Jaylen appeared in the doorway, still groggy but smiling as he watched Mya and Zaria. "Morning, beautiful," he said, walking over to kiss Mya on the cheek before reaching down to tickle Zaria's belly.

"Morning," Mya replied, handing him a cup of coffee. "How'd you sleep?"

Jaylen took a sip, nodding in approval. "Pretty good. Last night was exactly what I needed. You?"

Mya smiled, her eyes meeting his. "Same. It was perfect."

They shared a quiet moment together before Zaria started babbling loudly, demanding their attention. Mya laughed as Jaylen scooped her up, spinning her around and making her giggle uncontrollably.

"I've been thinking," Jaylen said as he set Zaria back down. "With everything going on at work, I might need to head out of town again soon. Just for a couple of days. I wanted to give you a heads-up."

Mya's smile faded slightly, but she nodded. She knew this was part of the deal with his promotion, and they had already talked about it. Still, the idea of him being gone again so soon left her feeling a little anxious.

"Okay," Mya said, keeping her tone light. "We'll manage. I've got some work projects coming up too, but I'm sure we can figure it out."

Jaylen's brow furrowed as he set his coffee down. "You know, we don't have to do this alone. We've got Layla, your mom, and my mom—all of them are more than happy to help with Zaria when we need it."

Mya nodded, knowing he was right. But part of her still struggled with the idea of leaning too heavily on others. She had always been independent, priding herself on her ability to handle everything on her own. But lately, she was starting to see the value in accepting help when it was offered.

"You're right," Mya said softly. "I need to let go a little more. I know I can't do it all."

Jaylen stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. "You're doing amazing, Mya. But you don't have to carry all of this by yourself. We're a team, and that includes the people who love us. Don't be afraid to lean on them."

Mya rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "I'll try. It's just hard sometimes."

"I know," Jaylen whispered, kissing the top of her head. "But you're not alone in this."

Later that day, after Jaylen had left for work and Zaria was down for her nap, Mya sat at her desk, going over her to-do list for the week. She had a few big projects lined up, including the ongoing work for Melody's cafe expansion, and she wanted to make sure she stayed on top of everything.

As she worked, her phone buzzed with a message from Layla.

Layla: Hey! Need a babysitter this week? I'm free if you need help with Zaria! 😊

Mya smiled at the timing of the text, feeling a sense of relief at Layla's offer.

Mya: You read my mind! Jaylen might be out of town for a couple of days soon, and I could definitely use the help. You're a lifesaver!

Layla: You know I love hanging with my goddaughter! Just let me know when, and I'm there.

Mya set her phone down, feeling a little lighter. She was grateful for Layla's constant support and her eagerness to help with Zaria. It was moments like these that reminded Mya she didn't have to do everything alone—she had people in her corner who genuinely wanted to help.

As the day went on, Mya found herself getting into a productive flow. She knocked out several tasks on her list and felt accomplished by the time Zaria woke up from her nap. The weight of balancing motherhood, work, and everything else wasn't gone, but it felt more manageable knowing she had a strong support system.

A few days later, Jaylen packed his bag for another short work trip. Mya stood in the doorway of their bedroom, watching him with a mixture of pride and worry. She knew this was important for him, and she wanted him to succeed, but it didn't make it any easier to say goodbye.

"You all packed?" Mya asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Jaylen glanced up and nodded, zipping his suitcase shut. "Yeah, just about. I'll be back in a couple of days. You sure you're okay with everything while I'm gone?"

Mya smiled, though there was a hint of nervousness in her expression. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Layla's going to help out with Zaria, and I've got my projects lined up. We'll manage."

Jaylen walked over to her, pulling her into his arms. "I know you will. But if you need anything—anything at all—you call me, okay?"

Mya nodded, resting her head against his chest. "I will. Promise."

They stood there for a few moments, wrapped in each other's arms, savoring the quiet before Jaylen had to leave. Mya didn't want to let go, but she knew this was part of their new reality—adjusting to the changes that came with Jaylen's promotion, with their growing family, and with Mya's own work.

Jaylen kissed her softly, his hands gently cupping her face. "I love you, Mya. We've got this."

Mya smiled, her heart full despite the worry. "I love you too, Jay. Be safe, okay?"

"I will," he promised before pulling away and grabbing his suitcase.

As Jaylen left for the airport, Mya stood at the door, watching him go. She waved as he pulled out of the driveway, her heart heavy but hopeful. She knew they were in a season of change, but she also knew that together, they could handle anything.

With a deep breath, Mya turned back toward the house, determined to face the next few days with confidence. She had her support system, her work, and most importantly, the love and strength she and Jaylen shared. Whatever challenges came their way, Mya knew they would get through them—one step at a time.

And as she walked into the living room, Zaria's laughter filling the air, Mya smiled. This was their journey, and no matter what came next, they were ready for it.