While Liam and I were celebrating our anniversary on the beach, laughing and soaking in the sun, a woman in a swimsuit rushed up to us out of nowhere. She got down on her knees in front of him and uttered his name softly. I felt like my heart stopped. What was her name? And why was she looking at my wife like that? I had no idea that moment would lead to a horrible revelation that I never saw coming.
The dream felt too real.
“Please don’t go, Liam…” “Liam!” I gasped and sat up straight in bed, my heart beating. I reached for him without thinking, but the sheets next to me were cold.
Then I heard him talk.
“Ava? Are you okay?
Liam stood in the doorway with a cup of hot coffee in his hand and a worried look on his face.
I felt a sense of relief. It had been a nightmare, and it was extremely vivid and awful.
I said, “I’m fine,” and let out a shaky breath. “Just a dream.” A bad one.
He moved over to me and kissed me on the forehead. “You were saying my name. You scared me a little.
I smiled at him weakly. “You left me in it.” On an island.
He laughed softly. “That won’t happen.” Then, as if he had just recalled something, he murmured, “Oh, and happy anniversary.”
My eyes got bigger. “Oh my God… our tenth?”
He smiled and said yes. “Yes.” Ten years ago today.
I jumped into his arms. “How could I not remember?” “Happy anniversary, Liam.”
He said, “I have something for you.” “Close your eyes.”
I did, and a second later, something smooth and thin slid into my hands. I looked.
“Do you have tickets for the plane?” I gasped. “Punta Cana?”
Liam smiled. “We’re going in three hours.” You have 20 minutes to get ready!
I couldn’t believe it, but I was so happy I squealed and got to work.
It had been a long time since we spent time alone together. Liam had a lot of work to do, and I had to deal with the chaos of daily life and my freelance employment. This was the break we needed.
There was a lot of enthusiasm on the aircraft. When we got there, the warm, humid air of the Caribbean wrapped about us like a warm blanket.
I remarked, “Wow,” when we got off the plane. The blue sky and palm trees made everything look like a painting.
“Just wait until you see the resort,” Liam whispered as he held my hand.
We observed a shiny black SUV parked for us. I couldn’t stop glancing at the water as we drove along the shore.
I said, “This is nuts.” “How did you do this without me knowing?”
Liam smiled. “Let’s just say I had to pretend to work late more than once.”
I felt horrible. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy. I know that your job has been hard.
He didn’t care. “That’s why we’re here.” No time constraints. No cell phones. “Just us.”
I gasped out loud when we came to the hotel. It looked like a postcard because of the lovely sand, coral roofs, and hammocks that swayed.
The bellhop grabbed our bags and led us into a lobby with marble floors and lots of light.
“Liam, this place must have cost a lot of money,” I replied softly.
He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “Only the best for you.”
Our accommodation had floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony. The ocean was directly outside. While I stood outside with the wind in my hair, Liam wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Was it worth the wait?” he asked.
I looked at him. “More than worth it.”
We spent the next two days floating in heaven, lounging by the pool, dancing under the stars, and having long meals on the beach. We laughed a lot more than we had in a long time. We were ourselves again.
We laid on beach chairs with our arms around each other on the third night and watched the waves roll in as the sun set in a blaze of pink and gold.
“Why didn’t we do this before?” I asked, my voice dreamy.
Liam answered, “Because I wanted it to be perfect.”
I smiled and put my hands on my stomach. A secret formed inside me, and I hadn’t told anyone yet. I had only just out I was pregnant a few days before the trip. I had a modest present package from home that I was waiting for the right occasion to give.
“What’s making you happy?” Liam asked, gazing straight at me.
I answered, “Just happy thoughts.”
He stood up and stretched. “Do you want to take a walk before dinner?”
I nodded. “Yes.” Don’t let the sunset go to waste.
We strolled barefoot on the beach, and the tide felt warm and nice on our ankles. I could feel the small bundle in my pocket, ready.
“Liam, I—”
A man immediately ran toward us via the dimming light. A woman in a white bathing suit ran on the beach. The wind rendered her hair disheveled and loose. She stopped in front of Liam and knelt down.
“Hey, Liam!” she yelled. “You are my one and only love!” Quit faking and come be with me. “Get married!”
The world came to a halt.
I blinked.
I looked at Liam. Then at her.
I was gripping the gift box tightly in my pocket, and I couldn’t breathe.
It seemed like someone had hit Liam with a bat. He opened his mouth and then shut it. Then—
He laughed.
When he bent over and laughed so hard he wheezed, I couldn’t believe it. Then, to make things worse, he hugged the woman and pulled her up.
I stepped back.
Was this a joke?
A joke?
Was this an awkward meeting with an ex?
“Liam?” I could hear my voice shaking. “Who… who is she?”
He looked at me and realized how I looked right away. He looked serious. “I’m very sorry, Ava.” Hi, this is Julia.
Julia smiled hesitantly and reached out her hand. “Hey! Sorry for the trouble.
I didn’t take it.
“Liam, what do you mean?” “Now.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Julia and I went to the same school. She was in the theater. I played a joke on her at a show once that made her feel pretty horrible. She said she would get back at him one day.
Julia nodded with joy. “And when I saw him on the beach, I just had to do it!” It took me twenty minutes to get the nerve.
My knees were about to give up.
Was this all a joke?
A college friend told you a joke?
I told you, “You scared the hell out of me,” and my voice shook.
Liam stepped forward, his eyes full of sadness. “I didn’t know she was here.” I swear. This wasn’t planned by me.
I let out a shaky breath, half laughing and half crying. “You idiot.”
He smiled and pulled me close. “I’m sorry.” I really am. But she got me too. I didn’t expect that.
Julia laughed. “I think I can relax now. I got my retribution.
She winked at him. “By the way, good job. You two are quite cute.
I shook my head and swallowed the lump in my throat. “You almost made my heart stop.”
After that, I remembered what I wanted to say to Liam before things went awry. Perhaps the timing wasn’t ruined after all.
“I had a surprise too,” I muttered gently as I moved away from him.
“Oh?” he said, raising an eyebrow.
I took the small package out and gave it to him.
He carefully opened it. There was a nice silver necklace with a little locket that looked like baby feet within.
Liam’s eyes went straight to mine.
“Ava… Are you trying to say…
I nodded, and tears came to my eyes. “I’m going to have a child.”
He grabbed me up off the ground and whirled me around, and his eyes filled with tears of joy.
“You’re going to have a kid!” “We’re going to be moms and dads!” He yelled, and even though he was crying, he laughed.
Julia put her hands together. “Oh my God, that’s so cool!” That’s a lot better than my little joke.
She took out her phone. “You two need a photo.” This is the time for it.
We hugged each other and stood in front of the river with my hand on my stomach. The sun, which was now a big orange ball, framed us well while Julia took some pictures.
She smiled and handed the phone back. “Well done, you two. I’ll leave you alone now, and I promise there won’t be any more drama.
Liam hugged her. “You definitely won the war of pranks.”
Then she waved goodbye and disappeared into the dark.
As the last light of day faded, Liam turned to me.
“So… we’re going to have a child?
I nodded and rested my head on his chest.
“Are you happy?” I inquired.
He kissed me softly and deeply. “I’ve never been this happy before.” I love you, Ava.
“I love you more,” I murmured in a gentle voice.
We held hands and walked back down the beach, leaving our shadows on the sand behind us.
The ocean whispered next to us, and the sky was now a deep purple with stars.
It had started as a vacation to celebrate our anniversary, but it had turned into the start of something much bigger.
A new piece. A new beginning.
And this time, no bad dreams. Just love, laughter, and the little heart that beats inside me.
