Just as John and I were soaking up our anniversary bliss on the beach, a woman in a swimsuit ran up, dropped to her knees in front of him, and said his name. My heart stopped. Who was she, and what could she possibly want from my husband? I had no idea that day would change everything.

“JOHN… Please, don’t leave me… John!” I cried out, jolting awake in an empty bed. My heart pounded as I realized it was just a dream. I’m Rosa, and I had just experienced the worst nightmare imaginable—John abandoning me in some idyllic tropical paradise, surrounded by palm trees and turquoise waves. As sunlight streamed through the curtains, I tried to shake the sinking feeling.

“Rosa? Are you okay?” John’s voice came from the hallway. He stepped into the room, concern written across his face.

I exhaled in relief. “Yeah… Just a bad dream. What time is it?”

“Almost nine,” he replied, offering a smile. “I made coffee. And… happy anniversary, sweetheart.”

My eyes widened. Of course—it was our 10th wedding anniversary! I leaped from the bed and threw my arms around him. “Happy anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been ten years!”

John’s grin grew. “I’ve got a surprise. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

I obeyed, and he placed something light in my palms. I opened my eyes to find two plane tickets.

“No way!” I gasped. “The Dominican Republic? Are you serious?”

“Pack your bags,” he laughed. “We leave in three hours.”

I squealed, peppering his face with kisses. “John, this is incredible!”

“Better hurry,” he said. “You’ve got twenty minutes to pack!”

As I frantically filled a suitcase, I couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty. John had been buried in work for months, and we hadn’t had much time together. This trip felt like the perfect reset.

“Ready for our adventure?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I zipped the bag shut and smiled. “With you? Always.”

The flight was a blur of excitement. When we stepped off the plane, the warm tropical breeze greeted us like a hug.

“Oh my God, it’s gorgeous!” I exclaimed, taking in the lush greenery and blue skies.

“Wait until you see the resort,” John said, squeezing my hand.

A sleek black car was waiting for us. As we drove along the coast, I couldn’t take my eyes off the ocean.

“I can’t believe you planned all this,” I said, turning to him.

He smiled slyly. “Let’s just say those late nights at the office paid off.”

I felt a pang of guilt. “I know I’ve been distracted lately, too…”

He took my hand. “No distractions now. Just us.”

When we arrived at the resort, it was like stepping into a dream—palm trees, white sands, and the sound of waves. The room was even better: a balcony overlooking the sea.

“This is perfect,” I said, leaning into John’s embrace.

That evening, we raced down to the beach for snacks and laughs, feeling like kids again. The days that followed were filled with coconut drinks, long beach naps, and slow bachata dances under the stars.

On our third night, we watched the sunset paint the sky. I rested my head on John’s chest, my hand absentmindedly drifting to my stomach. I had a secret—one I couldn’t wait to share. I was pregnant.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked gently.

I smiled. “Just how lucky I am.”

He kissed my forehead. “I’m the lucky one.”

Then he stood. “Walk on the beach?”

“Perfect,” I replied, secretly planning my big reveal.

Hand in hand, we strolled the shoreline, waves lapping at our feet. I reached into my pocket to feel the small gift box I had brought.

“John, I have something to—”

But before I could finish, a woman appeared, running toward us. She dropped to her knees in front of John and cried, “John! You’re the love of my life. It’s time to stop pretending. I want to marry you!”

I froze.

My hand clenched around the gift box. My world tilted. I stared at John, waiting for… anything.

His face turned pale. Then, unbelievably, he laughed.

He helped the woman to her feet and pulled her into a hug.

“You just had to pick this moment?” he laughed.

Tears welled up in my eyes. “What is going on? Who is she?”

John turned to me, his smile faltering when he saw my face. “Rosa, I swear—I didn’t know she was here. This is Julia. We went to college together.”

Julia beamed. “I hope I didn’t scare you too badly! I saw him and couldn’t resist. It’s payback for a prank he pulled on me in theater class years ago.”

John nodded. “I teased her during a performance. She swore she’d get me back.”

Slowly, my muscles began to relax. It was a prank. A stupid, horribly timed prank.

“You’re not… leaving me?” I asked quietly.

John pulled me close. “Never. I’m so sorry, Rosa. I had no idea.”

I let out a shaky breath and bumped his chest. “I nearly passed out, you jerk.”

And then I remembered the box. Maybe now was still the right moment.

“There’s something I was trying to tell you,” I said, pulling out the box. “I’m not going to get on one knee, but…”

He opened it. Inside was a silver chain with a tiny baby feet locket.

John’s eyes lit up. “You’re… we’re…”

“I’m pregnant.”

He laughed and spun me in the air. “Rosa! That’s amazing!”

Julia clapped. “Guess I missed my chance. Congratulations!”

She took a photo of us with the glowing sunset behind us, capturing a memory we’d never forget.

As John wrapped his arms around me again, he whispered, “We’re going to be parents.”

I smiled. “Yes, Daddy. Are you happy?”

He kissed me deeply, then pressed his forehead to mine. “I’ve never been happier.”

We walked back to the resort hand in hand, ready to start the next chapter of our story—one filled with love, laughter, and the pitter-patter of tiny feet.