Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 42: The Next Chapter Begins

Mya stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse as Zaria's soft babbling echoed down the hallway. It had been six months since the birth of their daughter, and life had found a new rhythm. Some days were smooth, others were a juggling act, but no matter how chaotic things got, one thing remained true—Mya loved this chapter of her life.

She smoothed her hand over her blouse, checking her reflection one last time. Today was the day she and Melody would pitch their café concept to investors, and this was a make-or-break moment. Mya had been working on this project for months, and while motherhood had shifted her focus in some ways, her passion for business had only grown stronger.

Just as she was about to head out, she heard tiny giggles from Zaria's room. A smile tugged at her lips as she walked down the hall. Pushing open the door, she found Zaria standing in her crib, bouncing with energy, her dark curls framing her chubby face.

"Good morning, sunshine," Mya said, lifting her into her arms.

Zaria immediately grabbed at Mya's necklace, her favorite toy these days. Mya chuckled, pressing a kiss to her daughter's cheek. These moments with Zaria always reminded her that no matter how much she had going on, her family would always be her first priority.

"You're getting so big," she murmured, holding Zaria close. "Mama's got a big day today, but I'll be back before you know it."

As she walked into the living room, she found Jaylen in the kitchen, prepping a bottle. He looked up, a grin spreading across his face as his eyes landed on the two of them.

"There's my girls," he said, coming over to kiss Mya on the cheek and brush his hand over Zaria's hair. "You ready for today?"

Mya exhaled, her nerves buzzing just below the surface. "I think so. It's been a long time coming. If we nail this, we'll finally have the funding we need."

Jaylen set down the bottle and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You've got this. You and Melody put in the work. Just go in there and show them what y'all are made of."

Mya leaned into his embrace, feeling a wave of calm wash over her. Jaylen always knew how to bring her back down to earth when her mind started racing. "Thank you, Jay. I needed to hear that."

"Always here for you," Jaylen said, giving Zaria a little bounce in Mya's arms. "We're cheering for you."

After handing Zaria to Jaylen, Mya gathered her things and gave them both one last kiss before heading out. As she walked toward the door, she paused and turned back, watching Jaylen cradling Zaria, making funny faces to keep her entertained. Her heart swelled at the sight of them—her family, her anchor in everything she did.

Later that morning, Mya found herself seated in a sleek conference room with Melody by her side. Their presentation was up on the screen, ready to go. Investors slowly trickled into the room, some of the biggest names in New York's business world. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, Mya felt ready. This was her moment.

As the presentation began, Melody led with a strong introduction, outlining their vision for the café. She spoke with confidence and passion, and Mya couldn't help but smile—this was the moment they had worked so hard for.

When it was her turn, Mya took over, diving into the branding and marketing strategies. She could feel the energy in the room shift as she spoke, the investors nodding along, clearly intrigued by what they were hearing. Her passion shone through with every word, and by the time they reached the final slide, Mya felt a surge of confidence.

Once the presentation wrapped up, the room fell quiet as the investors exchanged glances. Mya's heart raced as they asked a few follow-up questions, but she and Melody handled them with ease.

When the meeting ended, one of the investors, a sharp-dressed woman with a reputation for backing innovative businesses, stood up and smiled. "This was one of the best presentations I've seen in a while. We'll be in touch soon. I think you ladies are onto something great."

As the investors filed out, Melody turned to Mya, her eyes wide with excitement. "They loved it! Mya, I'm telling you, we got this."

Mya grinned, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "Let's hope you're right. This could change everything."

Later that afternoon, Mya returned home, greeted by the familiar sounds of Zaria's laughter and the scent of dinner cooking. Jaylen was in the kitchen, as usual, while Zaria bounced in her bouncer nearby.

"How'd it go?" Jaylen asked, looking up from the stove.

Mya smiled as she kicked off her shoes and scooped Zaria into her arms. "I think it went really well. They were definitely impressed. We'll hear back soon, but I have a good feeling about this."

Jaylen walked over, wiping his hands on a towel before wrapping his arms around her and Zaria. "I'm proud of you. I knew you'd crush it."

Mya leaned into him, her heart full. No matter what happened next, she knew she had everything she needed right here. Their family was strong, their bond unbreakable, and whatever the future held, they'd face it together.