"You can just put that over there against that wall." With a pointed finger Maya directed a mover as they placed furniture inside the new home. Josh swooped in behind her and rubbed her shoulders. Maya smiled and melted further into his chest. "What do you think about everything so far? I wasn't sure about that sofa being over there but I think it works."
Kissing her cheek, Josh playfully wrapped his arms around her. "It all looks great but when do you think these guys will be done because I," he discreetly slapped her bottom. "Have something else I want to do."
"Josh!" Maya yelped as she quickly covered her now red cheeks. She turned around in his arms and looked up at him. "Really? The movers are here!"
The mischievous grin on Josh's face sat prominently as Maya rolled her eyes and walked away. "So I take it that's a no?" No response. "That's fine! I'll just catch you later!"
By the end of the day, the couple's new California home was fully furnished and ready for them to live in. The house was equipped with plenty of room for guests, considering they had such a large family, and complete with a pool to combat that hot Southern California sun. Josh found himself there outside, by the pool watching the sun set. "Hey stranger," Maya's smooth voice called out behind him. Walking up beside him, Maya snaked an arm around his and pulled him close to her. "What are you thinking about?"
Josh looked on as he watched the sun slowly meet the edge of the water as he smiled to himself. "Just taking it all in. It's a big change you know? Nothing I can't handle but I'm curious to see how this all goes for us."
"I think it'll be good. It's new, yet familiar. We're safer here. We have security, a house hidden in the hills. We can at least pretend we're kind of normal here. Maybe even get back to figuring our lives out."
Josh turned his head towards his wife and just took in her beauty. Her blonde hair framed her face despite it being tossed up in a ponytail earlier as she dealt with the movers. Her lips so soft and pink and kissable. Her eyes so honest and blue and mesmerizing. "Yeah," Josh trailed off, only focused on her lips. "We can get back to a lot of things."
Moving in closer to her, he pressed his lips against hers. With such passion and force the two kissed, hungry for the other's touch. Josh cupped Maya's cheeks with his hands as she moved her hands up through his hair. Between kisses, he whispered compliments to her, ensuring she knew of her beauty to him. As the kiss got heavier and heavier, Josh moved down to kiss her neck, proud of himself when he heard a moan escape her mouth.
Allowing his lips to leave her neck just for a moment, he whispered in her ear, "Jump in my arms." And that she did. Josh hoisted her up on his waist, his lips never leaving hers as he brought them in to the sofa of their home. He sat down with her on top of him, kissing her passionately, taking in the moment. As Maya started to tug on his pants, the buzz of their new security system interrupted them as one of the guards spoke through their intercom.
"Evening mail has been dropped off, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews."
Groaning, Josh cursed under his breath as he felt himself deflate and Maya ease her touch. Maya jumped up and pressed on the intercom to respond. "Thanks Joe! Have a good night alright!"
Maya turned back to her husband with flushed cheeks as she tried to stifle a laugh as she could see the pure annoyance on Josh's face. Josh narrowed his eyes at her and threw his arms up in frustration. "It's not funny and you know it."
Maya laughed and straddled him once more. "It's a little funny." Josh rolled his eyes and threw his head back. "Come on." Maya patted his chest and stood. "We've had a long day. We should get some sleep."
As Maya walked away, Josh let out the loudest groan humanly possible as Maya laughed in his wake, finding his frustrations quite the amusing note to end the day on.
.:.
Maya pulled her knees to her chest as she waited for the video chat to connect. Sitting in her new office, Maya let the sun hit her face as she brushed her messy hair out of her eyes. Seeing the now comforting face of her therapist, Maya smiled. "Dr. Watson," she greeted. "Hi."
Before she knew it they were waist deep in their conversation. Maya wasn't normally the one to bring up topics in their calls but today she really wanted to run somethings by her therapist. "So I was thinking about going back to work. I wasn't sure in what capacity yet but I thought I'd run it by you. See if it was a good idea, you know? I just want to make sure going back to work wouldn't derail the progress I've made. Especially with the big move and everything else I just-"
"Maya," Dr. Watson interrupted. "I need you to breathe. I don't think you are breathing." Maya stopped and took a breath. She was right. She wasn't breathing. "Now," Dr. Watson continued. "You don't have to run this by me. This is your life Maya. You get to make the decisions. If you feel ready to go work then go do that. If you don't feel ready then you don't have to."
Maya sat back in her chair. "So it's up to me. Well how would I know I'm ready? I just don't want to make any mistakes. Plus I've been considering talking to Josh about this whole kid thing and having one in the next year or two and I just want to make sure everything is right for that."
"The only person that can decide that is you. You know you better than anyone else. Give yourself time, figure out where your heart lies."
Figure out where my heart lies. Maybe that's all she needed to do all along.
.:.
Josh held up his phone to his ear as he took in yet another no from his manager regarding a booking. Frustrated, He threw his phone to the side and fell back on the bed, wanting his luck to turn around. He won't find out if his show has a season three until later that year and with Maya not working and a mortgage to pay for, that left Josh scrambling to find his next job. "How the fuck am I supposed to provide when I can't book a single job right now," he cursed.
Hearing the thump from his phone hitting the floor, Maya stared up at the ceiling from the floor below, wishing she could help. Figure out where my heart lies and follow that. Looking around, she spotted her guitar sitting on its stand across the room, and smiled as an idea came to her instantly. Running over to pick it up, she plucked a few strings and started messing with the chords, all of it coming together to become the beautiful song she used to hear her mom play in the kitchen when she was growing up.
Soon, she was at the door of the room Josh was in and tapped her knuckles gently at the door. She spotted Josh lying back on the bed with his hands covering his face. Sighing, she held her guitar by its neck and leaned against the frame. "I know you're having a tough time right now. And I know that there isn't much I can do but," she held up the guitar. "I was hoping this might lift your spirits."
Josh peeked through his fingers and watched as Maya sat on a stool across from him on the bed. Sitting up as he heard her begin to play, he let the twang of the country song soothe him. Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts, Josh recognized. Maya's soft voice sang along and it instantly brought a smile to Josh's face. Enamored, Josh stared at Maya as she sang. Her long blonde hair was tucked behind her ears as her pink lips let the lyrics escape as she carried on. As she reached the bridge, the wheels began to turn in Josh's head.
He could picture it all and it was all because of Maya. As she finished, Josh smiled and walked over, kissing her lips. "Thank you Maya. I needed that." He rubbed her back tenderly. "You actually gave me an amazing idea."
Maya looked up at him and grinned. "Well I'm glad I was able to help. Mind telling me what that idea is?"
Josh shook his head. "Not yet. I've got to talk to a few people first." He bent down and kissed her forehead. "You're perfect. Thanks again."
Maya watched as Josh ran out of the room, grabbing his phone off the floor in the process. She loved seeing him so excited and invigorated by the idea of a creative project. It always brought her joy. It made heart the happiest. Creating a world where they get to express themselves and expand on their own terms was always the dream. So maybe it was time they really stuck to that. Figure out where their heart lies.
.:.
"You want to what?"
Josh rolled his eyes as he saw the exasperated look cross Maya's face. Pacing back and forth in front of her he said, "Come on! It'll be great! Just here me out. We find a network that will help us produce this right? Me, you, and plenty of other dancers but at its core is me and you. And with the music you could even work on the arrangements! Maybe even perform some stuff." He stopped his pacing and took Maya's hands in his. "We'd be creating a special full of love and life and music and dance baby. Everything that matters to us at its core. We can tell a love story- our love story, in the way that suits us best."
Maya's hesitance was strong as she nervously wrung her hands. "Josh I don't know. It just sounds like a lot of attention and you and I both know that I'm not the best with that." She watched as she saw Josh's face start to fall. "I mean it's a great idea. It's beautiful baby. I'm just not sure what kind of craziness this could invite in."
"Maya come on," he pleaded. "This is like," he paused as he searched for the right thing to compare this to. "Finally getting the steps right. Trying time and time again, going from step to step, finally getting into the groove of things. I really believe this could be us finding our rhythm again. In more than just our relationship but our lives together." He took a deep breath and squeezed her hands. "It's like... figuring out where our hearts lie. It just seems right."
Maya's breath hitched in her throat. It's like figuring out where our hearts lie. Getting back to the basics but with a twist. Maybe Josh was right. Maybe this would be the right move for them. "Okay," Maya relented. "Let's do this." Josh jumped up to celebrate but Maya stopped him. With a finger raised in the air she halted his celebration. "But on one condition."
Josh stood straight as Maya rose to her feet from the chair she was in. "Of course, what is it?"
Maya took a deep breath as she felt sure of what she was about say. "When we're done with this and whatever else it brings," she took his hands in hers. "I want us to start trying for a baby again. I want us to be parents."
A/N: And that's it for this chapter! So let me know what you think! I'll be traveling for the next few weeks so I won't be writing, so sit tight for a while until I can get you another chapter. Stay safe and be kind!
