r.

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 saw the tears on my face.

“Rosa, honey, I’m so sorry,” he said quickly, stepping towards me.

“This is Julia. We studied together in college.” Julia grinned, extending her hand. “Nice to meet you, Rosa.

I hope I didn’t scare you too badly.

” I stared at her hand, unable to process what was happening.

John continued, “I once mocked her during a theater performance and everyone had a good laugh. She promised to get her revenge someday, and I guess 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 let out a shaky laugh, gently bumping my fist against his chest.

“I almost had a mini heart attack, you jerk.

”As the relief washed over me, I remembered the gift box in my pocket.

Maybe now was the perfect time after all. “Sweetie,” I said, pulling back to look at John.

“I’m sorry, I won’t kneel, but… there was something I was gonna tell you a few minutes ago.

”I pulled out the small box and placed it in his hand.

John’s eyes widened, a look of pure joy spreading across his face when he opened the box and held out a delicate silver chain with a tiny locket in the shape of a pair of baby feet dangling from it. “You’re… we’re… Oh my God, Rosa!

” He lifted me off the ground, spinning me around as we both laughed.

“I’m pregnant!

” I revealed with a smile.

Julia watched us with a grin.

“Well, I guess that means I lost my chance. Congratulations, you two!

Let me take a picture to commemorate the moment. ” As John set me down, he turned to Julia.

“Thanks, Julia.

And you really got me good this time!” “I told you I would!

” Julia laughed.

“But seriously, congratulations. You both deserve all the happiness.

”We posed for a quick photo, silhouetted against the vibrant orange and pink glow of the setting sun.

As Julia said her goodbyes and headed back to the beach, John wrapped his arm around my waist.

“So,” he said, his voice filled with wonder, “we’re going to be parents. ”I nodded, leaning into him.

“Yes, Daddy!

Are you happy?”

John’s answer was a deep, passionate kiss that left me breathless.

When we finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I’ve never been happier. I love you, Rosa.”

“I love you too,” I whispered back, my hand finding his and intertwining our fingers. As we stood there, the warm breeze ruffling our hair and the sound of waves in our ears, I felt a sense of peace and excitement wash over me.

With this tiny bundle of joy nestled inside me and with my John by my side, I was looking forward to nothing but happiness.

“Ready to head back?”

John asked, picking up our bags.

I nodded, taking one last look at the beautiful sunset.

Ready for anything, as long as it’s with you. ”Hand in hand, we walked back to our resort, our hearts full of love and our minds filled with dreams of the future.

This trip had been more than just an anniversary celebration.

It was the beginning of a whole new chapter in our lives and I couldn’t wait to see what adventures lay ahead.