A Beach Surprise on Our Anniversary
Mark and I were strolling along the shoreline, savoring the moment on our tenth wedding anniversary, when suddenly a woman in a white swimsuit came running toward him. She dropped to her knees and called his name. My heart froze. Who was she, and what did she want from my husband? Little did I know that an emotional storm was about to hit me…
“Mark… Please, don’t leave me… Mark!” I jolted awake in an empty bed, my heart pounding wildly as I tried to process that it was only a nightmare.
My name is Rose, and that dream shook me to my core. In it, Mark abandoned me in some tropical paradise surrounded by turquoise waters and swaying palms.
Morning light filtered through the curtains, and I tried to shake off the lingering unease.
“Rose? Are you okay?” Mark called from the hallway, stepping into the bedroom with concern written across his face.
“Yeah… just a nightmare,” I sighed. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine. I made coffee,” he smiled warmly. “And, by the way, happy anniversary, my love.”
My eyes widened. How could I forget? Today marked ten years since we said “I do.”
I jumped up and hugged him tightly.
“Happy anniversary, Mark! Can you believe it’s been ten years already?”
His eyes sparkled with joy.
“I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”
I obeyed, feeling something light in my palms. Opening my eyes, I saw two plane tickets.
“No way…” I whispered, reading the destination. “Dominican Republic? Seriously?”
“Pack your bags, beautiful. We leave in three hours,” he grinned.
“Mark! Are you crazy?”
“You’ve got twenty minutes to get ready,” he laughed.
While hurriedly packing, a knot tightened in my chest. Mark had been distant for months, swallowed by work, and I’d been busy with my own life. This trip was our chance to reconnect.
“Ready for an adventure?” he asked, leaning casually on the doorframe.
“With you? Always,” I smiled.
The flight was filled with nervous excitement. When we stepped off the plane, a warm breeze wrapped around us like a summer hug.
“Mark, this place is magical!” I exclaimed, soaking in the lush greenery and vibrant colors.
“Wait till you see where we’re staying,” he winked.
A driver awaited us, and as we cruised along the coast, I couldn’t take my eyes off the sparkling sea.
“How did you keep this a secret?” I asked.
“Lots of late nights at the office,” he smirked.
I felt a pang of guilt.
“Sorry for being distant… I know it’s been hard for you.”
“That’s why we’re here. No work, no distractions. Just us.”
The hotel was like a dream. Spacious room with a balcony overlooking the ocean. The salty breeze played with my hair as I stood by the railing, breathing it in.
“Well, what do you think?” Mark wrapped his arms around me.
“Perfect. You’re perfect.”
The next days were paradise: beaches, fresh coconuts, seafood feasts, and dancing bachata under the stars. Every night, every kiss, every morning with the sound of the waves.
On the third evening, lying side by side on sun loungers, watching the sunset, I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?” I whispered.
“Because now is the perfect time,” he replied.
I traced his hand, thinking about the little secret I’d been carrying since the trip began. I was pregnant. Tonight was the night I planned to tell him.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, noticing my expression.
“How lucky I am,” I smiled.
“I’m the lucky one,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head.
“Shall we walk along the beach?” he suggested. “The sunset here is magical.”
I nodded, ready to pull out the small box from my pocket. We walked barefoot, fingers entwined.
“Mark, there’s something I want to tell you…” I started.
Then suddenly…
Out of the twilight appeared a woman in a white swimsuit, breathless, dropping to her knees before my husband.
“Mark! You’re the love of my life! Stop pretending! Tell her everything! Marry me!”
I stood frozen, the scene unfolding in slow motion. I looked at Mark, then her, then him again. Silence. Then he laughed.
Mark’s laughter echoed along the beach as I stood stunned.
He embraced her.
“Of course, you picked the perfect moment…”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
“What the hell is going on?! Who is she?!”
Mark turned to me.
“Rose, I’m sorry… This is Julia. We went to university together.”
Julia smiled brightly and extended her hand.
“Nice to meet you! Hope I didn’t scare you too much.”
Mark continued.
“She once swore revenge on me after I teased her during a play. Looks like today was payback.”
“I saw him from afar and couldn’t help myself! Sorry, Rose, just an actor’s instinct,” Julia laughed.
I felt relief, though a lump remained in my throat.
“You’re not leaving me, right?” I asked.
Mark pulled me close.
“Never. Sorry, I didn’t know she’d be here.”
I laughed through tears and lightly punched his chest.
“You nearly gave me a heart attack, idiot.”
Then I remembered the box in my pocket.
“You know… I’m not getting down on my knees, but there’s something I want to say…”
I took out the box and placed it in his hand. He opened it… inside was a delicate silver pendant shaped like tiny baby feet.
“You… we… Rose!”
He lifted me into his arms and spun me around. We both laughed.
“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, smiling.
“Well, that’s one surprise he won’t top,” Julia chuckled. “Congrats! Let me take a photo!”
We posed against the sunset. Julia said goodbye and left, while Mark held me close once more.
“We’re going to be parents…” he murmured.
“Yes, darling. Are you happy?”
He kissed me until my head spun.
“I’ve never been happier. I love you, Rose.”
“I love you too, Mark.”
We stood hand in hand on the shore, hearts full of love and hope. This trip wasn’t just a celebration — it was the beginning of a new life.
“Shall we head back?” he asked.
“Only if it’s together.”
And so we walked — hand in hand, following the sunset, toward our future