My Partner Left Me and His Twin Daughters During Our Family Vacation with Only a Note: “I Need to Vanish. You’ll Understand Soon”

“Come on, girls,” I called, yawning. “We’re home.”

But as I stepped inside, I stopped abruptly.

In the center of our living room was a bundle wrapped in a blanket. It was moving.

“What is that?” I whispered to myself.

Before I could react, the girls rushed past me.

“A puppy!” Emma squealed, dropping her backpack. “It’s a puppy!”

The bundle wiggled, and a tiny Saint Bernard puppy emerged, tail wagging enthusiastically. Sarah knelt, giggling as the puppy licked her face.

“Can we keep him? Please, Jennifer?” Sarah pleaded, her eyes wide with excitement.

I was too stunned to respond. But then I noticed a note tucked into the puppy’s discarded blanket and picked it up.

“Jennifer, I know my departure was sudden, and I probably acted impulsively, but please let me explain. While checking my phone at the hotel, I saw my friend offering puppies online. I had to leave immediately to secure this little guy for our family.

Remember your childhood story about your Saint Bernard, Max? I couldn’t miss the opportunity to bring that joy back into your life, just as you’ve brought love into ours.

Thank you for caring so deeply about my daughters. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for moving in so quickly, and thank you for agreeing to be part of our family forever. I apologize for not explaining beforehand, but I was too excited. Please forgive me and give Max Jr. a little attention.”

I sank onto the couch, shaking my head as relief washed over me. My impulsive fiancé had terrified me! But he had done it with beautiful intentions.

Max. I hadn’t thought about him in years. When I was four, Max rescued me from drowning during a family picnic. That dog was my hero and protector. Losing him to old age had been devastating.

And now, Max Jr. was here, wagging his tail and making the girls laugh joyfully.

“Jennifer, what’s wrong?” Emma asked, her eyes bright.

I spoke through my emotion. “Nothing, sweetheart. I’m just… surprised.”

A few minutes later, the front door opened. David stepped inside, looking apologetic and carrying pet supplies.

“Surprise?” he said tentatively.

I stood and rushed to him, unsure whether to scold him for frightening me or kiss him passionately. Kissing won.

“You should have told me! Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?” I whispered breathlessly after our kiss.

“I know, and I’m truly sorry,” David said, embracing me tightly. “But I couldn’t risk someone adopting all the puppies before I arrived. I had to return yesterday.”

Just then, the girls ran over, Max Jr. bounding after them.

“Daddy, you got us the puppy?” Emma asked, beaming.

We separated, and David crouched down, stroking their hair. “Yes, sweetheart! What do you think? Good surprise?”

“The best!” Sarah answered, hugging him tightly.

Her sister joined their embrace, which is why my anger dissolved. Seeing their happiness melted my frustration. Still, I wasn’t going to let him escape consequences so easily.

“You owe me significantly,” I warned, poking his chest playfully.

David grinned. “Agreed.”

We spent the remainder of the evening playing with Max Jr. He chased the girls around the yard, barking happily, and curled up with us on the couch for movie night.

Later, the puppy joined David and me in our bed, where he would remain for his entire wonderful life.

And David definitely fulfilled his debt to me… by giving me the most amazing life possible.