Journey of the heart(3)

The end: A Full Heart

Chapter 2: A Full Heart

The day of their 15th anniversary had finally arrived, and Mya could hardly believe it. She stood in front of the full-length mirror in their bedroom, adjusting the soft folds of the dress she had chosen for the occasion. It was a simple, elegant gown that flowed gracefully over her body, the kind of dress that made her feel beautiful without trying too hard.

The trip they had planned wasn't extravagant, but it was exactly what they needed—a peaceful getaway to a coastal retreat, far from the demands of work and the noise of everyday life. Jaylen had suggested it after weeks of discussing how to make this anniversary meaningful. The idea wasn't just to celebrate their love but to spend time together as a family and reflect on everything they had built.

Mya brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, taking a deep breath. She and Jaylen had been through so much together—more than she could have ever imagined when they first started dating. From financial struggles to personal sacrifices, from raising two children to navigating the ups and downs of their careers, they had managed to grow together instead of apart. And today, standing here in the quiet of their bedroom, she felt overwhelmed with gratitude.

"You ready, babe?" Jaylen's voice came from behind her, warm and familiar.

Mya turned to find him standing in the doorway, dressed in a crisp button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up slightly, giving him that perfect balance of relaxed and sophisticated. He smiled at her, his eyes full of admiration.

"You look beautiful," he said, stepping closer and placing his hands gently on her waist.

Mya smiled, feeling the butterflies in her stomach that never quite went away when Jaylen was near. "You don't look so bad yourself," she teased, leaning into him as he kissed her softly.

"It's hard to believe it's been 15 years," Jaylen murmured against her forehead. "But here we are, still standing, still going strong."

Mya pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a smile. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Jaylen nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, we have. And I wouldn't trade a single moment of it. Even the hard times—they all led us here."

Mya rested her head on his chest, savoring the warmth of his embrace. "Me neither. I'm proud of us, Jay. We've built something amazing."

Jaylen kissed the top of her head, his voice full of emotion. "And we're just getting started."

Later that afternoon, Mya and Jaylen stood on the balcony of their coastal retreat, watching as the ocean waves rolled gently onto the shore. Zaria and Elijah were down on the beach, playing in the sand and laughing as they chased each other along the water's edge. The sight of their children—now older, but still full of the joy and innocence of childhood—made Mya's heart swell.

"This was the right idea," Jaylen said, leaning against the railing beside her, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'm glad we decided to do this. I think we all needed it."

Mya nodded, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin. "Yeah, we did. It's been a long time since we just... paused. I think we got so caught up in building our careers and making sure everything was running smoothly that we forgot to stop and appreciate what we've built."

Jaylen reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "I've been thinking a lot about that lately. We've worked hard, and we've achieved so much. But I don't want to miss out on the important things, like watching the kids grow up and spending time with you. That's what really matters."

Mya squeezed his hand, her voice soft. "I feel the same way. I love my work, but I've been thinking... maybe it's time to step back a little. Let Melody take over more of the day-to-day. I want to be present for the kids, for you. I don't want to look back in ten years and realize I missed too much."

Jaylen nodded, his expression serious. "I've been thinking the same thing. I've built my business up, and it's doing well, but I don't need to be involved in every little detail. I want to spend more time with the family, make more memories like this."

Mya smiled, her heart full. "Then let's do it. Let's make a change."

Jaylen looked at her, his eyes full of love and determination. "Let's do it."

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the beach, Mya and Jaylen gathered with Zaria and Elijah around a bonfire they had built near the shore. The crackling of the fire filled the air, along with the sound of the waves and the laughter of their children.

Zaria, now 15 and full of her own opinions and ideas, was sketching something in her notebook, her brow furrowed in concentration. Mya watched her for a moment, marveling at how quickly her daughter had grown into a young woman. Zaria was creative, independent, and strong-willed, but there were times when Mya wished she could slow time down just a little.

Elijah, now 10, sat beside Jaylen, talking excitedly about his latest soccer game and how he'd scored the winning goal. He was athletic and full of energy, always looking for the next adventure. Jaylen listened intently, nodding along as Elijah spoke, his pride evident in every glance.

As Mya watched her family, a deep sense of contentment settled over her. This was what she had always dreamed of—a family full of love, joy, and togetherness. They had built something strong, something that would carry them through whatever came next.

"Mom, Dad," Zaria said suddenly, looking up from her sketchbook, "you guys have been together for, like, forever. How do you make it work?"

Mya smiled at her daughter's question, exchanging a glance with Jaylen. "It's not always easy," Mya began, her voice thoughtful. "We've had our ups and downs, just like any couple. But we've always made the choice to stick together, to fight for each other, no matter what."

Jaylen nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at Mya. "The key is love and respect. You have to remember why you fell in love in the first place and never lose sight of that. And you have to be willing to grow together, to support each other's dreams."

Zaria listened intently, her expression thoughtful. "I hope I find that one day."

Mya smiled, reaching out to touch her daughter's hand. "You will. But remember, it takes work. Love is beautiful, but it's also something you have to nurture. You have to be willing to put in the effort."

Elijah, who had been quietly listening, suddenly chimed in. "Does that mean you guys are always going to be together?"

Jaylen chuckled, pulling his son closer. "You bet, little man. Your mom and I—we're in this for life."

Mya's heart swelled with emotion as she looked at her family, the people she loved most in the world. They had been through so much together, but they had come out stronger on the other side. And now, sitting here on the beach, with the waves crashing in the distance and the warmth of the fire surrounding them, she knew that they were exactly where they were meant to be.

As the night wore on, the fire slowly died down, and Mya and Jaylen gathered the kids, preparing to head back to the cabin. Zaria yawned, stretching her arms, while Elijah rubbed his eyes sleepily. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, the kind of moment Mya had always dreamed of—simple, full of love, and free of the noise and chaos of the outside world.

Before they left the beach, Mya paused for a moment, looking out at the ocean one last time. She felt Jaylen's presence beside her, his hand slipping into hers as they stood there together, watching the waves.

"This feels like the start of something new," Mya said softly, her voice full of hope.

Jaylen nodded, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "It does. We've built something amazing, but there's so much more ahead of us."

Mya smiled, leaning into him. "I can't wait to see what's next."

Jaylen turned to her, his expression full of love. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. Just like we always have."

As they walked back to the cabin, hand in hand, Mya felt a sense of peace settle over her. They had built a life full of love, resilience, and hope. And now, with their children by their side and their future wide open, they were ready for whatever came next.

Because no matter what life threw at them, they had each other—and that was more than enough.