John and I were basking in the bliss of our 10th wedding anniversary on a sunlit beach when it happened—a woman in a swimsuit ran toward us, dropped to her knees in front of John, and called his name. My heart froze. Who was she, and why was she here? The truth that unraveled was nothing I could have expected.

“John! No, you can’t leave me like this!” I screamed, jolting awake to find myself alone in bed. My chest heaved as I realized it had only been a nightmare. That dream—John abandoning me in a tropical paradise—left me shaken to my core.

“Rosa? Everything alright?” John’s voice broke the silence as he entered the room, concern etched across his face.

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

“Almost nine,” he said with a smile. “Oh, and happy anniversary, sweetheart.”

My eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, our anniversary!” I leapt up, throwing my arms around him. “Ten amazing years. Happy anniversary, love.”

John grinned mischievously. “I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes.”

I obeyed, feeling something light in my hands. When I opened my eyes, there they were—two plane tickets.

“Dominican Republic?” I gasped. “John, are you serious?”

“Pack your bags,” he said, laughing at my stunned expression. “We leave in three hours.”

The flight was a whirlwind of excitement. Stepping into the warm embrace of the Caribbean air felt like a dream.

“This is breathtaking!” I exclaimed as we drove to the resort, my eyes glued to the turquoise waters and lush landscapes.

John’s hand tightened around mine. “It’s nothing compared to you,” he said with a wink.

The resort was paradise—towering palm trees, sparkling sands, and a suite with a balcony overlooking the endless ocean.

“It’s perfect,” I whispered, leaning into him. “You’re perfect.”

The days that followed were magical. We danced barefoot under the stars, feasted on fresh seafood, and let the waves wash away every worry. On the third evening, the sky was a canvas of oranges and pinks as we lounged on the beach.

“What’s on your mind?” John asked.

I smiled, brushing my stomach. “Just thinking about how lucky I am.”

“Not as lucky as me,” he said.

I was preparing to tell him my secret when he suggested a sunset walk along the shore. With the ocean lapping at our feet, I reached for the small box in my pocket.

“John, there’s something I—”

Before I could finish, a figure sprinted toward us. A woman in a white swimsuit dropped to her knees in front of John.

“John! You’re the love of my life. Stop pretending and tell her the truth. Marry me!”

The world seemed to spin. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at John, waiting for him to explain.

John’s expression shifted from shock to amusement before he burst out laughing.

“Julia!” he exclaimed, pulling the woman to her feet. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

My heart raced. “What’s going on, John? Who is she?”

John turned to me, still chuckling. “Rosa, this is Julia, an old college friend. She’s… um, a little theatrical.”

Julia laughed, shaking her head. “Sorry if I scared you, Rosa. I spotted him earlier and couldn’t resist pulling this stunt. Payback for all the times he teased me during drama class.”

Realizing it was all a prank, I let out a shaky laugh. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”

John hugged me tightly. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I had no idea she was here, and I definitely didn’t expect this.”

Julia grinned. “Let me take a picture of the happy couple!”

As she snapped a photo of us against the breathtaking sunset, I pulled the small box from my pocket.

“Your turn for a surprise.”

When John opened the box, his jaw dropped. Inside was a delicate silver chain with a charm shaped like tiny baby feet.

“Are you serious?” he whispered.

“I’m pregnant,” I revealed, tears welling in my eyes.

John’s joy was palpable. He lifted me off the ground, spinning me around as he laughed. “We’re going to be parents!”

The sun dipped below the horizon as we stood hand in hand, basking in the beauty of our love and the promise of what lay ahead.

“I love you, Rosa,” John said softly.

“I love you too,” I replied, knowing that no matter what surprises life held, we’d face them together.