Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 34: Finding Our WayMya's POV

Mya stood in the kitchen, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air as sunlight streamed through the large windows of their apartment. She leaned against the counter, sipping her coffee and staring out at the busy streets of New York below. The city felt like it was constantly alive—hustling, bustling, and always moving. It had taken some getting used to, but now, after a few months, Mya was starting to feel like she belonged here.

The quiet of the morning was a stark contrast to the usual chaos of her days. Zaria was still asleep, and Jaylen had left early for work. Mya found herself savoring these rare moments of stillness, when she could breathe and gather her thoughts before the day truly began.

She had been reflecting a lot lately—on how far they had come, on the journey they had been on since deciding to move to New York. It hadn't been easy, especially in the beginning. Mya had worried about how they would adapt, how she would manage her business in a new city, and how Jaylen's new role would affect their family. But now, standing here in the kitchen of their new home, she realized that they had been navigating everything with more grace than she had given them credit for.

Zaria stirred on the baby monitor, and Mya smiled softly. "Guess my quiet time is over," she whispered to herself, setting down her coffee and heading to the nursery.

When she opened the door, she found Zaria already sitting up in her crib, her chubby hands gripping the edge as she babbled happily. The sight of her daughter always made Mya's heart swell. Zaria's wide, curious eyes were filled with so much life, and each day with her was a reminder of why they had made this move in the first place.

"Good morning, baby girl," Mya cooed, scooping Zaria into her arms and kissing her soft cheeks. Zaria giggled, reaching up to tug at Mya's hair, her little face lighting up with joy.

As Mya carried her back to the living room, she thought about how much Zaria had grown since they had moved. She was walking now, always on the go, and every day brought new discoveries and milestones. Mya loved watching her explore the world with such wonder, and it made her even more determined to make this life in New York work—for all of them.

Later that morning, after breakfast and a walk through Central Park with Zaria in her stroller, Mya sat down at her desk to catch up on work. The apartment was filled with the soft sounds of Zaria playing with her toys, and Mya felt a sense of accomplishment as she opened her laptop and reviewed the latest emails from her clients.

Starting her business over in a new city had been daunting at first, but Mya had approached it the same way she did everything else—with determination and a willingness to take things one step at a time. Slowly but surely, she had begun building a network in New York, and her client list was growing. She was proud of herself for not letting the fear of change hold her back.

As she typed out an email to one of her new clients, Mya's phone buzzed with a message from Jaylen.

Jaylen: "I miss my girls. How's the day going?"

Mya smiled, quickly typing back.

Mya: "We're good! Zaria's practicing her dance moves again. And I'm getting some work done. Miss you, too."

She set her phone down, feeling a pang of longing. Jaylen's new job kept him busy, sometimes more than she liked, but she knew he was working hard to provide for their family. They had talked about it often—about how to balance his demanding career with their family life. It wasn't always easy, but Mya appreciated how Jaylen made an effort to be present whenever he was home.

A little while later, as she sat back and stretched, she heard a knock on the door. Mya's brow furrowed in curiosity. She wasn't expecting anyone.

When she opened the door, she found Tasha, their neighbor from across the hall, standing there with a smile and a small basket of cookies in hand.

"Hey, I thought I'd bring over some cookies I baked," Tasha said, holding the basket out toward her. "Figured you could use a sweet break during your busy day."

Mya grinned, feeling a sense of warmth at the gesture. "Tasha, you're a lifesaver. Come on in."

Tasha stepped inside, and Mya invited her to sit down while Zaria toddled over to say hello. Tasha immediately bent down to greet Zaria, cooing at her as Zaria giggled and showed off her toys.

"So, how's it going?" Tasha asked, looking up at Mya. "Are you guys settling in okay?"

Mya nodded, sitting on the couch across from her. "Yeah, we're getting there. It was an adjustment, but I think we're finally finding our groove. I love the energy of the city, and it's been exciting starting my business here."

Tasha smiled warmly. "That's awesome. It's a big change, but you're handling it so well. It's nice to see you finding your rhythm."

They talked for a while longer, sharing stories about life in New York and how they had both ended up in the city. Mya was grateful for Tasha's friendship; it had made the transition to New York feel less isolating. When Tasha finally left, Mya felt a renewed sense of connection to this place. New York wasn't just a city full of strangers anymore. It was becoming home.

That evening, Jaylen came home early for the first time in what felt like weeks. Mya heard the door open just as she was finishing up dinner, and Zaria squealed in excitement at the sound of her dad's footsteps.

"Daddy!" Mya called out, holding Zaria in her arms as Jaylen walked into the kitchen with a wide smile.

"There's my girl," Jaylen said, immediately reaching for Zaria and lifting her into the air. Zaria's giggles filled the room, and Mya's heart swelled at the sight of them together.

"How was work?" Mya asked, stirring the pot of pasta on the stove.

Jaylen let out a deep breath, bouncing Zaria on his hip. "Busy, but good. I'm just happy to be home. I've been thinking about you both all day."

Mya smiled, grateful that he was making time for them despite his hectic schedule. They had been working hard to find balance, and moments like these reminded her that they were doing it—they were making it work.

After dinner, they put Zaria to bed and settled onto the couch together. The TV played softly in the background, but neither of them was really paying attention. Mya leaned into Jaylen's side, resting her head on his shoulder as they sat in comfortable silence.

"How are you feeling about everything?" Jaylen asked after a while, his hand gently rubbing her arm.

Mya thought for a moment before answering. "Honestly? I'm starting to feel more settled. I was so worried about the move at first, but I think we're finding our way here. The city still overwhelms me sometimes, but it's exciting, too. And Zaria... she's thriving. That makes everything worth it."

Jaylen smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm proud of you, Mya. You've handled everything so well—Zaria, the business, the move. I know it hasn't been easy, but you're doing an amazing job."

Mya felt a rush of gratitude for his words. "Thank you, Jay. I couldn't do any of this without you."

"We're a team," Jaylen said softly, his voice full of affection. "And no matter where we are, or how hard things get, we'll always figure it out together."

Mya nodded, feeling a deep sense of peace wash over her. They had come so far since the move—learning, growing, and adjusting together. And as she sat there with Jaylen, she knew that no matter where life took them, they would always find their way.

Together, they were unstoppable.

This was just the beginning of their story in New York, and Mya was ready for whatever came next. She wasn't just surviving the city—she was thriving in it, alongside the people she loved most.

And that made all the difference.