And why involve Jim?

—

That evening, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Bruce acted completely normal at dinner. He laughed at Lily’s jokes, talked about our plans for the next day, and even reached for my hand across the table the way he always did.

Jim seemed relaxed too, though maybe a little quieter than usual.

If there really was a surprise, they were both very good at hiding it.

But something about Lily’s words kept echoing in my mind.

Daddy said I wasn’t supposed to tell you…

After Lily went to sleep, I finally decided to ask.

“Bruce,” I said, leaning against the balcony railing outside our room, “can I ask you something?”

He looked up from his phone. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated for just a moment. “Lily told me something today.”

His expression changed slightly—just a flicker, but I noticed it.

“What did she say?”

“She said you told her not to tell me what you and Jim were doing in the hotel room.”

He sighed softly and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well,” he said, “that’s… not exactly how I meant it.”

I folded my arms. “Then how did you mean it?”

He stood and walked over to me, lowering his voice.

“I was planning a surprise for you,” he said. “Jim helped me set it up. I told Lily not to spoil it because I wanted it to be special.”

I searched his face. “What kind of surprise?”

He smiled, though there was a hint of nervousness behind it. “You’ll see tomorrow.”

I didn’t respond right away.

“Why not just tell me that?” I asked quietly. “Why phrase it like a secret?”

Bruce frowned. “I didn’t think it would sound like that to her. She’s five. I just said, ‘Don’t tell Mommy, it’s a surprise.’”

I let out a slow breath.

“That wording matters,” I said. “You know how I feel about secrets.”

His expression softened. “You’re right. I should’ve been more careful.”

We stood there in silence for a moment, the sound of waves filling the space between us.

“I’m sorry if it scared you,” he added.

“It did,” I admitted. “Just for a second.”

He reached for my hand. “I promise, it’s nothing bad. Just wait until tomorrow.”

—

The next day, Bruce insisted we all stay in the room after breakfast.

“Give me ten minutes,” he said, ushering Lily and me onto the balcony. “No peeking.”

Lily giggled. “I know the surprise!”

“Shh,” Bruce said, smiling. “Let Mommy enjoy it.”

We waited outside while Bruce and Jim moved around inside. I could hear muffled laughter, the sound of something being dragged across the floor, and then… silence.

“Okay,” Bruce called. “You can come in now.”

I opened the door slowly.

For a moment, I just stood there.

The room had been transformed.

There were balloons everywhere—soft pastel colors floating near the ceiling. A small table had been set up by the window with a cake I hadn’t seen before, decorated with delicate flowers made of icing.

Photos were spread across the bed—pictures of me, Bruce, and Lily over the past five years.

And in the center of it all was a small velvet box.

I turned to Bruce, confused. “What is all this?”