From the moment you woke up, the day felt different. Special.

You barely had time to stretch before Rafe’s lips were on your shoulder, his voice thick with sleep. ”Happy birthday, baby.”

And from then on? Perfection.

Breakfast in bed—fluffy pancakes, fresh berries, your favorite coffee, all made by him. A huge bouquet of blooming peonies waiting for you in the kitchen. Shopping in Charleston, Rafe’s hand on your waist the entire time, spoiling you without a second thought.

Everything you wanted, everything you didn’t even know you needed—he gave you.

But the evening? That was something else entirely.

—

The sun had long since dipped below the horizon when he led you outside, his grip firm in yours. “Where are we going?” you laughed, the cool night air wrapping around you.

He didn’t answer—just smirked and kept walking.

Then you saw it.

A private beach house, candles flickering along the sand, waves crashing softly in the distance. Fairy lights draped across the deck, their glow casting everything in gold. A table set for two, dinner waiting, the scent of salt and citrus thick in the air.

Your breath hitched. “Rafe…”

He turned to you, his hands sliding up your arms, pulling you in. “I wanted today to be perfect,” he murmured, his forehead brushing yours. “Because you deserve perfect.”

Your chest tightened, words failing you, but Rafe didn’t need them. He just smiled, lifting your hand to press a slow, lingering kiss to your fingers.

And then, as if the night wasn’t already something out of a dream—

Fireworks.

Exploding in bursts of color over the ocean, reflecting in Rafe’s blue eyes as he watched you, his expression nothing short of breathtaking.

You turned to him, heart stuttering, eyes shining. “I can’t believe you did all this…”

Rafe smirked, tilting your chin up. “Baby, I’d do it a thousand times over.”

And when he kissed you, slow and deep, with fireworks lighting up the sky behind you—

You knew.

You would never forget this night.