Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 33: The Weight of It AllJaylen's POV

Jaylen sat at his desk in the corner office of his new job, staring at the glowing screen in front of him but not really seeing the numbers and emails he was supposed to be working on. The view of the New York City skyline from his window was stunning—skyscrapers stretching as far as the eye could see, their lights flickering against the fading daylight. Yet, for all its beauty, he felt the weight of the city pressing down on him.

It had been a whirlwind of a few months since the move. He and Mya had gone from talking about taking this job, to packing up their lives in North Carolina, to now building a life in one of the busiest cities in the world. The promotion was everything he had worked for—more responsibility, more opportunities, and definitely more money. But with all that came a pressure he hadn't anticipated.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a picture of Zaria from Mya, her tiny hands gripping a spoon as she attempted to feed herself. Her wide smile filled the screen, and Jaylen's heart warmed at the sight.

Mya: "Your daughter is already mastering this whole 'independence' thing. We're in trouble. 😅"

Jaylen smiled, quickly typing a response.

Jaylen: "She gets it from her mama. I'll be home soon. Miss you both."

After sending the message, Jaylen leaned back in his chair and sighed. He missed Mya and Zaria, more than he cared to admit some days. The long hours at work, the high-stakes meetings, the never-ending to-do lists—it was all necessary to build a life for them, to give Zaria everything she could ever want. But there was a part of him that felt like he was missing out on so much. He didn't want to just be the guy who came home late, kissed his daughter goodnight after she was already asleep, and went back to work the next morning.

But this was the sacrifice, right? This was what he had signed up for when he took the promotion. He had convinced himself—and Mya—that it was worth it, and some days it truly felt like it was. But other days, like today, the weight of it all felt heavier than he could carry.

He rubbed his temples and glanced at the clock. He could work another hour or two, but something inside him snapped. No. Not tonight. He had been doing this too much—letting work swallow him whole while his family went on without him. He wasn't going to let that become his routine. Not in this new life they were building.

Jaylen shut his laptop, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. The office was still bustling, even though it was late. The constant grind of New York never seemed to stop. But Jaylen moved through the building with purpose. Tonight, he was going home to his girls.

The subway ride back to their apartment gave Jaylen time to think. He watched the people around him—some looking tired and worn, others chatting excitedly about their plans for the evening. He wondered how many of them felt the same tug he did—the balance between wanting to provide for their families and wanting to be present with them.

When he reached their building, he felt a sense of relief as he stepped inside. The doorman gave him a nod, and Jaylen quickly made his way to their apartment. As soon as he opened the door, the familiar sounds of home greeted him. Mya's laughter echoed from the living room, and Zaria's delighted squeals followed.

Jaylen walked inside and immediately saw them. Mya was on the floor, playing a game of peek-a-boo with Zaria, who was sitting up in her playpen, grinning from ear to ear. Mya looked up when she heard him enter, and her face lit up with a smile.

"You're home early!" Mya said, standing up and walking over to greet him with a hug.

Jaylen wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "I missed you both. I didn't want to spend another late night at the office."

Mya leaned back, studying his face for a moment before smiling softly. "I'm glad you're here."

Zaria babbled happily from her playpen, reaching her little arms out toward Jaylen. He smiled and scooped her up, feeling the weight of his daughter in his arms. Her tiny fingers tugged at his shirt as she giggled, and Jaylen felt the tension from his day melt away.

"Hey, princess," he said softly, kissing her forehead. "How's my baby girl?"

Zaria responded with more babbling, her bright eyes full of curiosity and joy. Jaylen held her close, breathing in the scent of her baby shampoo, and for the first time all day, he felt grounded.

Mya stood beside him, watching them with a soft smile. "She's been practicing feeding herself. It's been... messy."

Jaylen chuckled, still holding Zaria close. "I bet."

They spent the next hour together, just the three of them. Mya and Jaylen talked about their days, while Zaria toddled around the living room, showing off her new walking skills. It wasn't anything grand or extraordinary, but it was exactly what Jaylen needed. He realized that this—these quiet, simple moments with his family—was what made all the stress and the long hours worth it.

After putting Zaria to bed, Jaylen and Mya curled up on the couch together. The TV played softly in the background, but neither of them was paying much attention to it. Mya rested her head on Jaylen's chest, and he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

"How are you doing with all of this?" Jaylen asked after a while, his voice low.

Mya lifted her head, looking up at him with a small smile. "It's been a big change. Some days I miss home, but I think we're getting the hang of it here. It's exciting, but I won't lie—it's a lot to adjust to."

Jaylen nodded, understanding completely. "I've been feeling the same way. This job... it's everything I've worked for, but I don't want it to take me away from you and Zaria. I can feel the pressure building sometimes, and I'm trying to figure out how to balance it all."

Mya reached up, brushing her fingers gently against his cheek. "We'll figure it out together. You're doing great, Jay. I know it feels overwhelming sometimes, but we're in this together. We'll make it work."

Jaylen leaned down and kissed her softly. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Mya smiled against his lips. "Good thing you'll never have to find out."

They sat in silence for a while after that, wrapped in each other's arms. Jaylen felt the weight of his responsibilities, but he also felt the strength of his family beside him. He knew that no matter what challenges came their way, they would face them together.

And as they drifted off to sleep, Jaylen felt a deep sense of peace. They had taken a leap of faith in moving to New York, and while it wasn't always easy, he knew it was the right decision. They were building something new here—something strong.

Together, they could handle anything.