John and I were enjoying the sunshine on a beautiful beach, celebrating our anniversary. The waves were gently crashing at our feet, and I felt completely at peace. Then suddenly, a woman in a swimsuit came running toward us. She knelt right in front of John and said his name.
My heart skipped a beat. Who was she? And why did she know my husband? I had no idea that this moment would change everything.
“John! No, don’t leave me… John!” I cried out, jolting awake. My heart was pounding, my breathing fast. It took me a moment to realize I was in our bed, and it was all just a terrible nightmare—a vivid vision of John leaving me alone on a tropical beach. The morning light began to seep through the curtains, but I still felt a cold sweat on my skin.
“Rosa? Are you okay?” John’s voice came from the hallway, and soon he appeared in the doorway, his face full of concern.
I let out a deep breath, relieved to see him. “Yeah, just a bad dream. What time is it?”
“Almost 9. I made coffee,” he said with a gentle smile. Then, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “And… happy anniversary, sweetheart.”
My eyes went wide. How could I have forgotten? It was our 10th wedding anniversary! I jumped out of bed and hugged him tightly. “Happy anniversary, John! I can’t believe it’s been ten years.”
John’s smile grew even wider. “Close your eyes and hold out your hands,” he said mysteriously.
I did as he asked, and when I opened my eyes, I found two plane tickets in my hands. “The Dominican Republic? Are you serious?” I gasped, my heart racing with excitement.
John nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “We leave in three hours.”
I squealed and threw my arms around him, kissing him all over his face. “I can’t believe you did this!”
We scrambled to pack, tossing clothes and essentials into suitcases. But as I rushed around, I felt a small twinge of guilt. John had been working so hard, spending countless late nights at the office, and I had barely seen him. This trip was exactly what we needed to find each other again.
The flight seemed to pass in an instant, carried by our excitement. When we arrived, the tropical air welcomed us like an old friend. As we drove along the coast to our resort, the bright turquoise waters seemed to stretch forever, dazzling under the sun.
“How long have you been planning this?” I asked, amazed that he had kept this trip a secret.
John gave me a sly smile. “It wasn’t easy, especially with all those late nights at the office.”
I felt another wave of guilt wash over me. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted lately. I know you’ve been working hard,” I confessed.
John squeezed my hand gently. “That’s why we’re here, Rosa. No work, no stress. Just us.”
When we reached the resort, it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined—tall palm trees swaying in the wind, the distant sound of waves whispering through the air. Our room had a private balcony overlooking the ocean, the perfect slice of paradise.
John wrapped his arms around me from behind. “What do you think? Was it worth the wait?” he asked softly.
“It’s perfect,” I replied, leaning back into his warmth. “You’re perfect.”
For the next few days, we lived in pure bliss. We lounged on the beach, drank fresh coconuts, and danced under the moonlight. On the third evening, we sat together, watching the sunset paint the sky in stunning oranges and pinks. I rested my head on John’s chest, feeling happier than ever.
“Why haven’t we done this before?” I murmured, tracing lazy circles on his arm.
John chuckled. “There’s no better time than our anniversary. Plus, I wanted it to be a surprise.”
I smiled, thinking about the surprise I still had for him. My hand moved to my stomach, feeling the little secret growing there. I had found out I was pregnant just before the trip, and I was waiting for the perfect moment to tell him.
Just as I was about to speak, John suggested, “Let’s take a walk on the beach.”
We walked along the shoreline, hand in hand, the warm water lapping at our feet. I reached into my pocket for the small gift box I had brought with me, ready to share my news. But just as I was about to speak, a woman in a white swimsuit came running toward us.
She dropped to her knees in front of John and cried out, “John! You’re the love of my life. It’s time you stop pretending and tell her everything. Will you marry me?”
I froze, my heart sinking. Who was this woman? And what was she talking about? John was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. My mind was racing—was this some kind of cruel joke?
John helped the woman to her feet and hugged her tightly. I felt tears stinging my eyes. “John, who is she?” I asked, my voice barely steady.
John turned to me, still smiling. “Rosa, this is Julia. We went to college together. She’s playing a prank—she swore to get back at me for a joke I played on her years ago.”
Julia grinned sheepishly. “I just couldn’t resist,” she admitted.
I let out a shaky laugh, the tension in my body slowly melting away. “I almost had a heart attack, you two!”
John pulled me close and kissed my forehead. “I’m so sorry, Rosa. I had no idea she’d be here.”
As I felt the relief wash over me, I remembered the gift in my pocket. “Actually, I have something for you too,” I said, my heart pounding with anticipation.
I handed him the small box. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a tiny locket shaped like baby feet. John’s eyes went wide with surprise and then filled with joy. “You’re… we’re… Oh my God, Rosa!”
I beamed at him. “I’m pregnant!”
John lifted me off the ground and spun me around, laughing with pure joy. Julia, still smiling, offered to take a picture. She captured our happiness as the sun set behind us, painting everything in golden light.
Hand in hand, we walked back to the resort, our hearts bursting with excitement. This trip was not just a celebration of our anniversary; it was the beginning of an incredible new chapter in our lives. And with John by my side, I knew that wherever life took us, we would face it together.