Page 223 of From Rivals to I Do

As the weight of my doubts bears down on me, I become withdrawn, my laughter quieter, my smile more forced. The once vibrant energy in our home becomes dimmed by my silence, and even Henry notices the change.

When Jackson comes home that evening, I sit in the living room, my thoughts swirling in a storm of self-doubt. He glances at me, concern etched in his eyes, and I can feel the weight of his unspoken question hanging in the air.

"Maya, is everything okay?" he finally asks, his voice laced with genuine worry.

I remain silent for a moment, my throat tightening with emotions I struggle to articulate. Finally, I find my voice, though it comes out as a mere whisper. "I

don't know, Jackson. Lately, I've been feeling inadequate, like I can't measure up to Emily or be the mother figure that Henry needs."

Jackson moves closer, his warmth enveloping me like a comforting embrace. "Maya, you are more than enough," he says, his voice filled with conviction.

"Emily was a beautiful wife and mother to me and Henry, and she will forever be in our hearts, but our hearts are big and, there is room for you. Please

try and understand the process, God chose to take Emily, and we were devastated, but this is a new chapter. Emily would be so grateful that God

brought you into our lives. You have brought light and love into our lives, watching Henry laugh and smile again brings joy to my heart. Maya, being with

you seems so right. The Memory of Emily will live forever in our hearts, but Maya I want our future to be with you and only you”."

I lean into Jackson, seeking solace in his presence, and he holds me gently, his arms providing a sense of security. In that moment, I allow myself to

release the weight of my insecurities, letting them dissolve into the ether.

"We all have doubts and fears, Maya," he continues, his voice a soothing melody against the backdrop of our shared vulnerability. "But it's through facing

them together, supporting one another, that we find strength. You have filled our lives with love, warmth, and a bond that goes beyond any blood relation."

His words resonate within me, resonating with a truth that I had momentarily forgotten. I take a deep breath, allowing his love and affirmation to seep

into every fiber of my being. As I do, a flicker of courage ignites within me, propelling me to share my fears and doubts openly.

"I stumbled upon old pictures of you and Emily, and I couldn't help but compare myself to her," I confess, my voice carrying the weight of vulnerability. "It's like a shadow crept into my mind, whispering that I'll never measure up, that I'll always be second best."

Jackson's gaze softens, and his eyes reflect understanding and compassion. "Maya, you are incomparable," he says, his voice filled with earnestness. "Emily was a chapter in my life, but our story is different. It's not about measuring up or filling someone else's shoes. It's about embracing who you are, with all your strengths and vulnerabilities, and finding our own unique path together."

His words wash over me like a gentle tide, eroding the walls of self-doubt and insecurity. I begin to see the truth in his perspective—that our love isn't defined by external comparisons, but by the authenticity and depth of our connection.

As the evening unfolds, we sit side by side on the couch, engaged in a heartfelt conversation that spans the breadth of our emotions.

"Jackson, has Margaret reached out to you since her last visit?" I inquire, my voice tinged with curiosity.

Jackson's expression tightens, a flicker of anger crossing his features. "No, she hasn't," he replies. "I suppose she will soon."

"So, she isn't aware that I'm in the picture yet, right?" I ask softly.

"No, Maya," Jackson says, giving my hand a warm squeeze. "But she'll get to know at the right time. I know it might be difficult for her to accept you initially, but she eventually will."

"Are you sure, Jackson? I'm scared she may try to dig into everything and uncover our fake marriage."

"Hey, Maya, let's just take one day at a time. Everything else will fall in place, okay?" Jackson reassures me.

As the night deepens, we relapse into a companionable silence, and I feel a renewed sense of purpose and self-assurance. The doubts and insecurities that once plagued me now seem to have abated a bit, but it's still lurking around somewhere deep down in my heart.

Chapter eleven

Chapter Eleven

The firehouse is alive with activity, the sound of ringing alarms and bustling footsteps filling the air. I sit at my desk in the office, surrounded by the

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