The ocean breeze whispered around you, lifting strands of your hair as the sun sank slowly toward the horizon. The waves rolled lazily onto the shore in the distance, and seagulls called faintly overhead, as if nature itself had paused to witness this moment.

You sat on a thick cream-colored blanket spread across the sand, nestled between plush pillows and surrounded by flickering lanterns. The soft fabric of your dress draped around your legs, the bump of your belly curving against the light as you leaned slightly into Grayson’s side.

He was barefoot beside you, sleeves rolled up, one hand resting on your thigh, the other tracing lazy patterns on your bump with the pad of his thumb. His dark hair ruffled from the breeze, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

In front of you both sat a small white cake, simple and elegant with pale shells and gold dust along the base. The only clue it held something more was the delicate silver knife placed beside it — and the way Grayson kept glancing at it like it might explode.

“You nervous?” you teased, nudging him gently with your knee.

He smirked, eyes flicking down to your belly. “I closed a $200 million deal this morning without blinking. But this?” His voice softened. “This is the one that matters.”

You smiled, heart squeezing.

Grayson picked up the knife and wrapped his hand over yours. “Together.”

You nodded.

The blade slid through the cake with ease, and as the first slice tilted to the side — a rich, vibrant blue peeked out from beneath the frosting.

You froze.

Grayson stared.

Then the breath left him in a laugh, low and awed.

“A boy,” he whispered, before glancing at you with shining eyes. “We’re having a boy.”