Journey of the heart(3)

Chapter 57: New Expectations

The decision to grow their family brought a new kind of excitement to Mya and Jaylen's life. It wasn't immediate, but the anticipation of what was to come started to shape their conversations, their plans, and even their quiet moments together. For the first time in a long while, they weren't just thinking about survival—they were thinking about the future, about joy, about legacy.

One morning, a few weeks after they had made the decision, Mya found herself feeling a bit off. She had been busy with the café, balancing work and home, and hadn't paid much attention to the subtle changes in her body. But as she sat at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee, she felt the kind of queasiness that she hadn't experienced since being pregnant with Zaria.

A thought flickered in her mind, and she paused, setting her coffee cup down. Could it really be happening already?

Her mind raced as she quietly slipped out of the apartment while Jaylen was busy with Zaria. She made her way to the drugstore a few blocks away, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. It felt too soon to get her hopes up, but the idea of another baby was now something she couldn't stop thinking about.

Back home, Mya locked herself in the bathroom, her hands trembling as she waited for the test results. The seconds seemed to drag on forever, each moment filled with a strange mix of anxiety and hope. When she finally looked down, her breath caught in her throat.

Positive.

Mya blinked, staring at the result. A wave of emotions hit her all at once—excitement, disbelief, joy. She was pregnant. The reality of it sunk in slowly, and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. This was real. She and Jaylen were going to have another baby.

Mya sat on the edge of the tub, her mind spinning. How was she going to tell Jaylen? She wanted to make it special, to surprise him in a way that would make the moment unforgettable.

That evening, as they sat at the dinner table, Mya couldn't stop herself from smiling. Jaylen noticed almost immediately, his brow raising in curiosity.

"You look extra happy tonight," he said, giving her a playful grin. "What's goin' on?"

Mya bit her lip, trying to hold back the excitement bubbling inside her. She glanced over at Zaria, who was sitting in her highchair, happily playing with her food.

"I've got something to tell you," Mya said, her voice soft but full of meaning.

Jaylen's smile faded slightly, replaced by curiosity and concern. "What's up?"

Mya stood up, walking over to Zaria's highchair and kneeling beside her. She gently wiped Zaria's face, then turned back to Jaylen with a twinkle in her eye.

"Zaria," Mya said softly, "how would you feel about being a big sister?"

For a moment, Jaylen just stared at Mya, his mind processing her words. And then, as the realization dawned on him, his eyes widened.

"You serious?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Mya nodded, tears filling her eyes. "Yeah. I'm pregnant."

Jaylen sat back in his chair, his hands covering his face for a moment before he looked back at Mya, his eyes shining with emotion. "I can't believe it."

Mya laughed softly, the tears spilling over as she watched Jaylen stand up and cross the room to her. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, his voice thick with emotion.

"We're having another baby," he whispered, his voice full of awe.

Mya nodded, resting her head against his chest. "We are."

Jaylen pulled back slightly, his hands cupping her face as he kissed her deeply, his joy and love for her radiating through the simple gesture. "I'm so happy, Mya. I can't even put it into words."

Mya smiled, feeling the same overwhelming happiness wash over her. "Me too, Jay. Me too."

Over the next few days, the news of their pregnancy became a secret joy they shared, just the two of them. They hadn't told anyone yet—not even Melody—but every time they looked at each other, there was an unspoken understanding that their lives were about to change in the most beautiful way.

One evening, as they sat on the couch after putting Zaria to bed, Mya snuggled up next to Jaylen, resting her head on his shoulder. They had been talking about baby names, laughing at some of the more ridiculous ones they had come across.

"You ever think about what kind of parents we'll be to two kids?" Mya asked softly, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. "I mean, we've barely figured it out with one."

Jaylen chuckled, his arm wrapped around her. "We're doin' alright with Zaria, aren't we? I think we'll figure it out with two. We'll just have to take it one day at a time, like we always do."

Mya smiled, feeling reassured by his calm confidence. "I guess you're right. I just don't want to mess it up."

"You won't," Jaylen said, his voice soft and full of conviction. "You're an amazing mom, Mya. And we're a good team. We've been through harder stuff than this, and we came out stronger. We got this."

Mya sighed, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "I'm glad we're in this together, Jay. I couldn't do it without you."

Jaylen kissed her temple, his voice low. "You won't ever have to."

A few weeks later, Mya finally told Melody about the pregnancy during one of their usual coffee catch-ups. The café was quiet, the early morning rush just starting to pick up, and Mya had been waiting for the right moment to share the news.

Melody's reaction was immediate. She practically squealed with excitement, throwing her arms around Mya. "Girl! I knew something was going on with you! I'm so happy for you!"

Mya laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I've been dying to tell you, but I wanted to wait until things felt a little more real."

"Well, now that it's real, we're gonna celebrate," Melody said, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're about to be a mom of two. How are you feeling?"

Mya smiled, her hand resting on her belly. "I'm nervous, but mostly just excited. It feels different this time—like we're in such a good place, you know? I'm just ready for this next chapter."

Melody nodded, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast. "Here's to the next chapter. And here's to you and Jaylen. Y'all are about to build something beautiful."

Mya clinked her cup with Melody's, her heart full of gratitude. She had everything she had ever dreamed of—love, family, and a future that felt bright and full of possibility.

And as she sat there, surrounded by the life she had built with Jaylen, Mya knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—just like they always had.