Just as John and I were enjoying our anniversary bliss on the beach, a woman in a swimsuit approached him, bent down, and spoke his name. My heart has stopped. Who was she, and what did she want from my husband? I had no idea that day would bring me to tears.
“JOHN… Please do not abandon me. John!” I shrieked, startled awake in an empty bed. My pulse raced as I realized I was having a nightmare. My name is Rosa, and I just had the worst dream ever. My husband John had left me in a tropical paradise, surrounded by turquoise waters and waving palm palms. As the morning sun shone through the curtains, I struggled to shake my unpleasant feeling.
“Rosa? Are you okay? John’s voice came from the hallway. He appeared at the doorway with a concerned expression on his face.
I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Yes, that was only a bad dream. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost nine. “I made coffee,” he added, smiling. “Oh, and happy anniversary, sweetheart.”
My eyes expanded. How could I forget? It was our tenth wedding anniversary! I got out of bed and wrapped my arms around him. “Happy Anniversary, John! I can’t believe it’s already been ten years.
John’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and extend your hands.
I did what he instructed and felt something light in my palms. I opened my eyes and saw two aircraft tickets.
“No way,” I exclaimed, reading the destination. “What about the Dominican Republic?” “Are you serious?”
John grinned. “Babe, pack your stuff. “We leave in three hours.”
I squealed with excitement and kissed his face. “This is wonderful, John! “I cannot believe you did this!”
“Better hurry,” he said, laughing. “You’ve got 20 minutes to pack before we need to hit the road.”
As I hurriedly packed clothes into a suitcase, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame. John had been really busy at work lately, and I hadn’t seen much of him. This trip was just what we needed to reconnect.
“Ready for our adventure?” John asked, leaning against the doorframe.
I zipped up my bag and smiled. “With you? Always.”
The flight to the Dominican Republic was a blur of excitement and anticipation. As we stepped off the plane, the warm tropical air enveloped us like a welcoming embrace.
“Oh my God, John, it’s beautiful!” I exclaimed, taking in the lush greenery and vibrant colors surrounding the airport.
John gripped my hand. “Just wait until you see where we’re staying.”
A sleek black sedan was waiting to transport us to our resort. As we drove along the coast, I couldn’t take my gaze away from the brilliant turquoise water.
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret,” I exclaimed, turning to John. “How long have you been planning this?”
He offered me a sneaky smirk. “Let’s just say it wasn’t easy with all those late nights at the office.”
I felt a stab of regret when I realized how distant we’d been lately. “I apologize for being so preoccupied with my own issues. I understand your new project has been challenging.
John’s expression softened. “Hey, that is why we are here. No job, no distractions. “Just us.”
The automobile approached a gorgeous coastal resort. The palm trees waved in the breeze, and I could hear the calm lapping of waves on the shore.
“Welcome to paradise!” our driver said with a grin.
As we checked in, I couldn’t stop staring at the magnificent lobby. “John, this must have cost a fortune,” I murmured.
He simply winked at me. “Nothing but the best for my girl.”
Our room was even more spectacular—a huge suite with a private balcony that overlooked the ocean. I strolled out onto the balcony and breathed in the salty air.
John approached behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “What do you think?” Was it worth the wait?
I turned in his arms, gazing up into his warm brown eyes. “It’s perfect.” “You are perfect.”
He leaned down to kiss me, and for a brief time, all my anxieties vanished. As we parted ways, John’s stomach growled loudly, which made us both giggle.
“I guess that’s our cue to find some food,” I said with a smile. “What do you say we hit the beach and grab some snacks?”
John grinned. “Race you to the water!”
As we ran hand in hand toward the shimmering sea, I couldn’t shake the sensation that this trip would change everything.
The next couple of days were a whirlwind of sun, sand, and pure bliss. We lounged on the beach, sipping from fresh coconuts and indulging in mouthwatering seafood. Every night, we danced bachata under the stars, our bodies moving in perfect sync.
On our third evening, we sprawled out on a sun lounger, watching the sunset paint the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink. I rested my head on John’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Why haven’t we done this before?” I asked, tracing lazy circles on his arm.
John’s chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “I couldn’t think of a better time than our anniversary. Plus, I wanted it to be a surprise.”
I raised my head up to look at him. “Well, consider me thoroughly surprised and completely spoiled.”
As we laid there, I thought about the small surprise I had planned for John. My fingers involuntarily moved to my stomach, where our little secret was developing. I’d discovered I was pregnant shortly before the trip and had been waiting for the right moment to tell him.
“What’s on your mind?” John inquired, noting my serious expression.
I smiled strangely. Oh, nothing. “Just thinking about how fortunate I am.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I’m the lucky one.”
As the final rays of sunlight illuminated the sky in bright oranges and pinks, John sat up abruptly. “Hey, do you want to take a walk on the beach? The sunsets are always amazing here.”
I nodded enthusiastically, already considering how I would break the news. “Sounds perfect.”
We walked hand in hand along the shore, the warm sea lapping at our feet. The departing light created a golden glow across the beach, making everything appear magnificent.
I took a deep breath and reached into my pocket to feel the small present box I had brought from New York.
“John, there’s something I want to tell you—” “I said.”
Suddenly, a man materialized in the decreasing light and ran towards us. Before I could grasp what was going on, a woman in a white swimsuit fell to her knees in front of John.
“John!” she shouted out. “You are the love of my life.” It’s time to quit pretending and tell her everything. I want you to be my one and only. “Will you marry me?
I froze, still clutching the gift package in my pocket. As I looked from the woman to John, the world appeared to tilt on its axis. I waited for him to explain what was going on.
John’s face was drained of color, and his mouth opened and closed silently. And then, to my complete surprise, he burst our laughing.
My heart pounded in my chest as John’s laughter echoed across the beach. Was this some kind of sick joke?
I watched in horror as he reached down and helped the woman to her feet, pulling her into a tight hug.
“You couldn’t choose a better time, right?” John chuckled, still holding the stranger.
Tears stung my eyes as I found my voice. “What the heck is going on? John, who is she?” I choked out, my earlier joy evaporating like mist in the sun.
The nightmare I’d had on our anniversary morning came rushing back. John leaving me alone in a tropical paradise… Was this some twisted version of that dream coming true?
John turned to me, his eyes widening as he noticed the tears on my cheeks. “Rosa, honey, I’m so sorry,” he whispered swiftly, approaching me. “This is Julia. “We studied together in college.”
Julia giggled and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Rosa.” I hope I did not scare you too much.
I stared at her hand, unable to comprehend what was occurring. John added, “I once mocked her at a theater performance, and everyone laughed. She pledged to exact her retribution someday, and I suppose this is it!”
Julia nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right! I saw him from a distance and spent 20 minutes trying to figure out if it was really him. When I was sure, I couldn’t resist staging a little prank!”
As their words sank in, the tension in my body slowly began to unwind. It was just a prank. A stupid, ill-timed prank.
“You… you’re not leaving me, right?” I nervously asked John.
His face softened as he pulled me into his arms. “Never, Rosa. I’m so sorry we scared you. I had no idea Julia was here or that she’d do this.”
I gave a weak giggle, softly banging my hand into his chest. “I almost had a mini heart attack, you jerk.”
As relief swept over me, I remembered the gift box in my pocket. Perhaps now was the ideal time after all.
“Sweetie,” I whispered, pulling back to face John. “I apologize, but I will not kneel.” “I was going to tell you something a few minutes ago.”
I took the box from my pocket and opened it, revealing a tiny pair of baby shoes. John’s eyes grew wider as he took them in.
“Rosa…” he muttered, overcome with sorrow.
I grinned through my tears. “We’re going to be parents.”
John drew me into the strongest hug yet, his shoulders heaving with laughter and tears. “This… This is the most pleasant surprise of all. Rosa, I adore you so much.
Julia clapped her hands, thrilled. “Congratulations, you both! “What a wonderful anniversary surprise!”
As we stood on the beach, surrounded by the sounds of the waves and the fading light of the sunset, I knew that no matter how many pranks life threw at us, John and I would always find our way back together. Because, just like in the joke, I knew John would never abandon me. He was my rock, greatest friend, and now father to our child.
And as we walked back to the resort, hand in hand, I felt more certain than ever that we were meant to be.
