I stood in front of my full-length mirror, my heart fluttering with anticipation. Tonight was special, five years with Jake. Five years of love, laughter, and all the little moments that had shaped our relationship. A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought about the grand evening he had planned. Knowing Jake, it would be nothing short of magical.I traced my fingers along the delicate lace of my emerald green dress, the soft fabric hugging my curves in all the right places. Jake had once mentioned, offhandedly, how much he loved this color on me, and I had never forgotten. My dark hair cascaded in soft waves over my shoulders, and the golden earrings he had gifted me last Christmas dangled elegantly, catching the dim light of my bedroom."Perfect," I whispered to myself, nodding at my reflection.As I reached for my perfume, a light floral scent that Jake always said reminded him of spring mornings, my phone buzzed on the dresser. A message from him.Can't wait to see you tonight, beautiful. Happy anniversary.Warmth bloomed in my chest, my lips curling into a soft smile. Even after all these years, he still knew how to make me feel cherished.Memories of our first anniversary flooded my mind, the small picnic he had arranged in the park where we had our first date. It had been simple, intimate, and perfect. Over the years, our celebrations had grown grander, yet never lost the essence of who we were together.But tonight felt different. Jake had been secretive about his plans, dropping hints but never revealing too much. "Just trust me," he had said with a mischievous grin, making my heart race in the best way.I glanced at the clock. 7:00 PM. He'd be here soon.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my clutch and made my way to the living room. The soft click of my heels echoed through the apartment as I stood by the window, the city lights twinkling outside, painting the room in a golden glow. Anticipation bubbled within me, and for a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to wonder, was tonight the night?A faint smile played on my lips at the thought, but I quickly shook it away. Whatever Jake had planned, I knew it would be perfect, just like the last five years had been.And then, the doorbell rang.I took one last look at myself in the mirror, straightened my dress, and opened the door.Jake stood there, looking as handsome as ever in a crisp navy suit that hugged his tall frame perfectly. His dark eyes sparkled with warmth, and the familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me, a scent I had come to associate with comfort and love."Wow," he whispered, taking a step closer, his gaze raking over me. "You look... breathtaking."Heat rose to my cheeks as I bit my lip. "And you look as handsome as ever."He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, and gently pulled me into his arms. "Happy anniversary, my love," he murmured against my hair, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.I melted into his embrace, my arms wrapping around his waist. "Happy anniversary, Jake."He pulled back slightly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Five years, and I still can't believe I get to call you mine."I smiled up at him, my heart swelling. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."Jake cupped my face, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek. "Neither would I." He leaned in and kissed me, soft and slow, like a promise. My knees nearly buckled from the warmth of it.When we finally pulled apart, I gazed into his eyes. "So, what's this big surprise you've been teasing me about?"He grinned, his fingers lacing through mine. "Patience, love. You'll see soon enough. But first, let's just enjoy this moment. Just us."I nodded, resting my head against his chest. In the quiet of my cozy one-bedroom condo, wrapped in his arms, I knew tonight was already perfect.Jake led me to his car, opening the door for me like a true gentleman. The city lights whizzed past as he drove, the skyline glowing beautifully against the darkening sky. Soon, we arrived at a fancy restaurant perched high above the city, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Soft music drifted through the air, and the ambiance was warm and inviting, with dim lights and the gentle hum of conversation.The host greeted us with a polite smile and led us to our reserved table near the window. But before the host could pull out my chair, Jake intervened with a charming smile. "I've got it, thanks."My heart fluttered as he pulled the chair out for me, his gaze never leaving mine. Just as I reached for the menu, he knelt beside me, his hands reaching beneath the table.From under it, he pulled out a stunning bouquet of my favorite flowers, wrapped beautifully in soft ivory paper. "Leia," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "These last five years have been the best of my life, and I just wanted to start tonight with something beautiful, just like you."My eyes widened, warmth spreading through me as I took the bouquet, breathing in its sweet scent. I met his gaze, my throat tightening. "Jake... this is beautiful. Thank you."He reached for my hand and pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles before returning to his seat. "Anything for you, love."Soon, the first course arrived, an elegant amuse-bouche of seared scallops with a hint of citrus. My eyes lit up as I took my first bite. "Remember our trip to the coast?" Jake asked, watching me closely. "This dish takes me right back to that little seaside bistro where we had our first vacation together."I chuckled, dabbing my lips with a napkin. "How could I forget? You insisted on ordering scallops every night, convinced you'd found your new favorite food."Jake laughed, reaching for his wine glass. "And you teased me about it mercilessly. But I swear, these taste just like those."I smiled, nodding. "They really do. You always remember the sweetest things."The moment lingered, filled with nostalgia and warmth, as we savored the familiar flavors.With each course, memories resurfaced. A creamy butternut squash soup reminded me of cozy autumn nights spent curled up together. A delicate lobster risotto was a taste of indulgence, reflecting the luxuries Jake always wanted me to have. A perfectly cooked filet mignon took us back to our first fancy dinner date, where he had tried too hard to impress me. Finally, a decadent chocolate soufflé, rich and sweet, symbolized the way our love had deepened over time.Looking at Jake, I realized how much thought he had put into tonight. My heart swelled, gratitude overflowing as I squeezed his hand. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Jake."He smiled, his eyes filled with unwavering love. "You'll never have to find out, Leia."