A woman ran up to my husband and me while we were on the beach, knelt down, and said his name.
A woman in a swimsuit raced up to John and me as we were basking in our anniversary happiness on the beach, bowed before him, and said his name. My heart gave out. What could she possible want from my spouse, and who was she? I had no idea that day would bring such a tearful awakening.
“JOHN… No, don’t leave me, please. John! I cried out, startled to find my bed deserted. As soon as I understood it was only a nightmare, my heart began to race. My name is Rosa, and I had the most horrible dream ever. John, my spouse, had left me alone in a tropical paradise with turquoise waters and waving palm palms. I attempted to get rid of the anxious sensation when the early morning light broke through the drapes.
“Rosa? Are you alright? From the hallway, John’s voice could be heard. With a worried expression, he emerged from the doorway.
I exhaled a breath of calm. Yes, it was only a bad dream. What time is it exactly?
“Nearly nine o’clock.” He grinned and replied, “I made coffee. “Alright, happy anniversary, my love.”
My pupils expanded. How could I overlook it? It was the tenth anniversary of our union! I leaped from my bed and embraced him tightly. “John, happy anniversary! It still amazes me that ten years have passed.
Excitement sparkled in John’s eyes. “I’m going to surprise you. Shut your eyes and extend your arms.
I followed his instructions and felt something light touch my hands. I noticed two aircraft tickets as I opened my eyes.
I gasped as I read the destination and said, “No way.” “The Republic of the Dominican? Are you for real?
John smiled. “Baby, pack your luggage. In three hours, we depart.
I kissed him all over his face, squealing with excitement. John, this is incredible! How on earth did you accomplish this?
Better move quickly, he chuckled. “We have to leave in 20 minutes, so you have 20 minutes to pack.”
I was overwhelmed with shame as I hurried to pack clothes in a suitcase. John hadn’t been around much recently because he was so busy at work. We needed this trip to rekindle our relationship just right.
“Are you ready for our journey?” John leaned against the doorframe and inquired.
Grinning, I zipped up my bag. Alongside you? All the time.
Excitement and expectation ruled the flight to the Dominican Republic. The pleasant tropical air embraced us as soon as we got off the aircraft.
“John, I’m in awe of this beauty!” Glancing around the airport at the rich vegetation and vivid hues, I let out an exclamation.
John gave me a tight squeeze. “Wait until you see our accommodations.”
Our resort was waiting for us in a sleek black sedan. I was enthralled by the glistening blue waves as we drove along the shore.
“It’s unbelievable that you concealed this information,” I turned to face John. “How much time have you spent organizing this?”
He smiled slyly at me. “Let’s just say that working late at the office wasn’t easy.”
I felt a twinge of shame as I realized how aloof we had been lately. I apologize for being so preoccupied with personal matters. I am aware of how difficult your new project has been.
John’s face began to soften. Hey, that’s the reason we’re here. Absence of labor and diversions. Only the two of us.
The car drew up to a gorgeous resort on the beach. I could hear the soft lap of waves on the shore as the palm trees waved in the breeze.
“Greetings from paradise!” said our driver.
I couldn’t stop staring at the opulent foyer as we checked in. I muttered, “John, this must have cost a fortune.”
He gave me a wink. “It’s only the best for my girl,”
Even more amazing was our room, a large suite with an own balcony that overlooked the ocean. I opened the balcony door and inhaled the briny air.
John approached me from behind and put his arms around my waist. How do you feel? Was the wait worthwhile?
I spun around in his arms and met his warm brown eyes. It’s flawless. You’re flawless.
As he bent to plant a kiss on me, all my anxieties vanished momentarily. John’s stomach gave a loud growl as we broke apart, which made us both chuckle.
I laughed and said, “I guess that’s our cue to find some food.” “How about we go to the beach and get some snacks?”
John smiled. “Go fast to the water!”
I couldn’t get rid of the idea that this trip was going to completely transform my life as we went hand in hand towards the glittering water.
The sun, sand, and sheer delight filled the following few days. We ate delicious fish and sipped from fresh coconuts while relaxing on the beach. We used to dance bachata outside every night, our bodies moving in perfect unison.
We spent our third evening lounging on a sun lounger while the sun sank and the sky was brilliantly colored in shades of pink and orange. John’s heartbeat was steady as I laid my head on his chest.
“Why didn’t we do this earlier?” I asked, circling his arm in a casual manner.
A deep laugh rumbled in John’s chest. “Our anniversary is the best time I could think of. In addition, I desired it to be unexpected.
I raised my head to give him a glance. “Well, take me as fully stunned and as spoiled as possible.”
I was thinking about the small surprise I had planned for John as we laid there. Unconsciously, my hand went to my stomach, the developing source of our little secret. Just before the trip, I had discovered I was pregnant, and I had been waiting for the right opportunity to inform him.
“What are your thoughts?” John enquired after observing my pondering look.
I gave a cryptic smile. Oh, not at all. Just reflecting on my good fortune.
He gave my head a kiss on top. “I’m the fortunate one.”
John abruptly sat up as the last of the sunshine cast a stunning orange and pink sky. Would you like to go for a stroll on the beach? This place always has a magnificent sunset.
I excitedly nodded, beginning to arrange how I would break the news. “Perfect sound.”
With the warm ocean lapping at our feet, we strolled along the shoreline holding hands. Everything on the beach appeared wonderful as the last of the light shed a golden glow over it.
I inhaled deeply and felt the little present box I had carried from New York in my pocket.
“John, I would like to share with you something.” I stated.
Abruptly, a silhouette emerged in the waning illumination, sprinting in our direction. In front of John, a woman wearing a white swimsuit bent down to her knees before I could even comprehend what was occurring.
“John!” she exclaimed. “My life’s love is you. It’s time you tell her everything and quit acting like a fool. You should be my only and only. Are you going to marry me?
With my hand still holding onto the gift box in my pocket, I froze. I turned from the woman to John, waiting for him to say something, anything, to explain what was going on, but it felt like the world was tilting on its axis.
John’s lips moved soundlessly, his face going completely white. And then he started laughing, which shocked me beyond belief.
The sound of John laughing reverberated around the beach, and my heart began to race. Was this a cruel prank of any sort?
He bent down, lifted the woman to her feet, and pulled her into a tight hug, which I watched in horror.
“There couldn’t be a better time, is that right?” With a laugh, John continued to grasp the stranger.
My eyes watered as I discovered my voice. “What in the world is happening? Who is she, John? My former happiness dissipated like mist in the sun as I coughed out.
My nightmare from our anniversary morning suddenly came back to me. John abandoning me in a tropical paradise by myself Was that dream coming true in a warped form?
John turned to face me, his eyes bulging at the sight of my tears. He hurriedly murmured, “Rosa, honey, I’m so sorry,” and moved in my direction. It’s Julia here. In college, we took classes together.
Julia smiled and held out her hand. “Hi Rosa, nice to meet you. I hope I didn’t frighten you too much.
I couldn’t believe what was occurring, so I just stared at her hand. John went on, “I used to make fun of her at a play, and that made everyone laugh a lot. I guess now is the time to exact the payback she swore to get someday.
With enthusiasm, Julia nodded. Yes, it is correct! I looked at him from a distance and tried to determine if it was actually him for twenty minutes. Once I was certain, I couldn’t help but pull a small practical joke!”
My body started to relax as their words started to sink in. It was all in good fun. A foolish, misplaced joke.
“You aren’t going to leave me, right?” I questioned John tremblingly.
His expression softened as he drew me into his embrace. Never, Rosa. I’m really sorry if you were alarmed. I didn’t know Julia was here or that she would take this action.
I laughed a little, putting my fist softly into his chest. “You jerk, I almost had a mini heart attack.”
I felt a wave of relief and then I thought of the gift box in my pocket. Perhaps this was the right moment after all.
“Sweetie,” I remarked as I turned to face John. “I apologize, but I won’t bow down. A few minutes ago, I was going to tell you something.
I took the box out of my pocket and as I opened it, I saw a little pair of infant shoes. As John took them all in, his eyes grew wide.
“Rosa,” he said, his voice stifled by sentiment.
Despite my tears, I grinned. “We’re going to have kids.”
John gave me the tightest hug he had ever given me, tears and laughter trembling his shoulders. “This… The nicest surprise of all is this one. Rosa, you have my undying love.
Julia grinned and clapped her fists. “Congratulations to both of you! What a lovely surprise for your anniversary!
Whatever mischief life threw at us, John and I would always find our way back to one other, I knew as we stood there on the shore, bathed in the sounds of the waves and the last of the sunset light. Because I knew John would never abandon me, exactly like in the practical joke. He was my partner in crime, my closest friend, and our child’s father now.
I was much more convinced than before that we were meant to be together as we strolled back to the resort hand in hand.
