Sasha and I were just enjoying our anniversary on the beach when a woman in a bathing suit ran up to us, knelt down and said his name. My heart sank. Who was she and what did she want from my husband? Little did I know that an emotional blow was in store for me…
“Sasha… No, please, don’t leave me… Sasha!” I screamed, abruptly waking up in an empty bed. My heart was pounding as I tried to comprehend that it had all been a nightmare.
My name is Rose, and I had just had the worst dream of my life. In it, Sasha abandoned me in some tropical paradise, surrounded by turquoise seas and rustling palm trees.
As the morning sun broke through the curtains, I tried to shake off my anxiety.
“Rose? Are you okay?” Sasha called from the hallway. The next second he appeared in the doorway, a worried expression on his face.
“Yeah… it’s just a nightmare,” I sighed. “What time is it?”
“Almost nine. I made coffee,” he said with a warm smile. “And by the way, happy anniversary, my love.”
My eyes widened. How could I forget?! Today is our 10th wedding anniversary!
I jumped out of bed and hugged him.
“Happy anniversary, Sasha! I can’t believe it’s already been ten years!”
His eyes sparkled with joy.
“I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and stretch out your hands.”
I obeyed – I felt something light in my palms. I opened my eyes… and saw two plane tickets.
“It can’t be…,” I whispered, reading the destination. “Dominican Republic? Are you serious?”
“Pack your suitcase, beautiful.” The flight leaves in three hours, he smiled.
Sasha! This is incredible! Are you crazy?
You have twenty minutes to get ready, he laughed.
As I rushed around the apartment, stuffing things into a suitcase, my soul was a little heavy. The last few months, Sasha was constantly disappearing at work, and I was busy with my own affairs. We hardly saw each other. This trip is our chance to become closer again.
Are you ready for adventure? he asked, leaning on the door frame.
“Always with you,” I smiled.
The flight passed in excitement and joyful anticipation. As soon as we got off the plane, we were enveloped in warm air – as if summer itself had embraced us.
“Sasha, it’s simply magical here!” I exclaimed, looking at the lush greenery and bright colors around.
“Wait until you see where we’ll be living,” he winked.
A car with a driver was waiting for us, and as we drove along the coast, I couldn’t take my eyes off the sparkling water.
“How did you manage to hide all this?” I asked.
“It took a lot of work… especially with all the nights at the office,” he chuckled.
I felt a pang of guilt.
“I’m sorry I was so distant… I know how hard it is for you.”
“That’s why we’re here. No work. No business. Just us.”
The hotel was like something out of a fairy tale. A spacious room with a balcony overlooking the ocean. The wind played with my hair as I stood at the railing, breathing in the salty air.
“How do you like it?” Sasha hugged me from behind.
“Perfect. You’re perfect.”
The next few days were pure paradise: the beach, coconuts, seafood, dancing under the stars. Every night – bachata, every morning – kisses to the sound of the waves.
On the third evening, we were lying on a lounger, watching the sunset. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heart.
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?” I whispered.
“Because right now is the best time,” he answered.
I ran my finger along his hand, thinking about the little secret I’d been keeping since the beginning of the trip. I was pregnant. And I was going to tell Sasha this very evening.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, noticing my expression.
“About how lucky I am,” I answered with a smile.
“I’m luckier,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head.
“Let’s go for a walk along the beach?” he suggested. “The sunset here is simply magical.”
I nodded, ready to take the small box out of my pocket. We walked barefoot on the sand, holding hands.
“Sasha, I wanted to tell you something…” I began.
And then…
A woman in a white bathing suit jumped out of the twilight and, out of breath, fell to her knees in front of my husband.
“Sasha! You are the love of my life! Stop pretending! Tell her everything! Marry me!”
I was dumbfounded. It was all happening in slow motion. I looked at Sasha, then at her, then back at him. Silence. And then – he burst out laughing.
Sasha’s laughter echoed across the beach, and I stood there dumbfounded.
He hugged her.
“You picked the right moment, of course…”
I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
“What the hell is going on here?! Who is she?!?”
Sasha turned to me.
— Rosa, I’m sorry… This is Yulia. We went to college together.
Yulia smiled broadly and extended her hand to me.
— Nice to meet you! I hope I didn’t scare you too much.
Sasha continued:
— I teased her at a performance once, and she swore to take revenge. Looks like she did it today.
— I saw him from afar and couldn’t help myself! Sorry, Rosa, it’s just an acting habit, — Yulia added, laughing.
I felt better, although the lump in my throat was still there.
— You… You’re not leaving me, are you? — I asked.
Sasha immediately hugged me tightly.
— Never. I’m sorry, I didn’t know she was here.
I laughed through my tears and lightly punched him in the chest.
– Almost gave him a heart attack, idiot.
And then I remembered the box in my pocket.
– You know… I’m not going to kneel, but… I wanted to tell you something…
I took out the box and put it in his palm. He opened it… inside was a thin silver pendant in the shape of tiny baby feet.
– You… we… Rose!
He picked me up in his arms and spun me around. We both laughed.
– I’m pregnant, – I said through a smile.
– Well, now I definitely won’t be able to ruin this surprise, – Yulia laughed. – Congratulations! Let me take a picture of you!
We posed against the sunset. Yulia said goodbye and left, and Sasha hugged me again.
— We will be parents… — he whispered.
— Yes, daddy. Are you happy?
He kissed me so hard that my head started spinning.
— I am happier than ever. I love you, Rose.
— And I love you, Sasha.
We stood on the shore, with our fingers intertwined, with our hearts full of love and hope. This trip was not just a holiday — it was the beginning of a new life.
— Shall we go back? — he asked.
— Let’s go. Only if we go together.
And we went — hand in hand, in the footsteps of the sunset, towards our future.