“Keep him on his toes,” Giselle says.
“Prank him every once in a while.” I wink, thinking about the harmless and sweet April Fool’s style jokes Declan and I play on each other.
“Isn’t that dangerous?” Etta Jo asks.
“No, we have rules. No pranks on Sundays or game days. Nothing that could maim, burn, or render the other incapacitated in any way for any amount of time.”
“Wow, you guys put a lot of thought into this,” Giselle says.
“A couple that laughs together, stays together.” I smile. “But there’s more.”
“We’d love to hear about it, but we ought to bring these cupcakes up. It’s almost go time and I don’t want to fumble this tray, have a team member slip in the frosting, and fall.”
“Etta Jo, they’re wearing cleats. They play in mud, snow, and ice. They’re tough, rugged guys,” Giselle says.
“All the same.”
Giselle and I exchange a look, wondering what’s gotten into our friend and her preoccupation with the guys’ safety.
Then I gasp but quickly stifle it with a swoony, blissy sound because now is not the time to reveal what I just figured out about Etta Jo and Brandon Campos. We are on a mission and it’s to share with Declan and the country, as it turns out, that he’s soon to be a father.
Cupcake trays in hand, the girls and I march toward the stadium. The crowd cheers when the halftime act wraps up. The announcer’s deep voice booms and everyone becomes relatively quiet. But my heart is loud in my ears as I step up to his booth and he introduces me.
Etta Jo and Giselle remain by my side. Both prepared with cupcakes and one for me.
“We have a special announcement that we need your help with. I’d like to introduce Maggie, the wife of number forty-four, Declan Printz.”
My hands shake slightly as I step in front of the microphone. Meanwhile, the vendors distribute the cupcakes to fans on both teams.
“Hello.” I sound like a squeaky mouse.
Then, remembering that my parents and the entire world will likely see this, I clear my throat and summon my skills as a child performer, only I’m a woman now and this moment is going to change my life and Declan’s.
“Thank you, everyone for being here today. You may have seen Maggie Cakes, my mobile cupcake company, at games and even tried some of my baked goods. Well, today, everyone gets a cupcake. I have some exciting news to share and I need your help, so don’t bite into it just yet. We’re all going to do it together on the count of three.”
I scan the sidelines on the field for my husband. He stands, helmet in hand, staring up at me, lips parted, eyes bright.
Waving, my smile grows and I continue, “Declan, we’re expecting.”
“A baby?” he shouts.
I nod. “But the question is...”
Etta Jo grips my hand and into the microphone, she says, “Pretty in pink or...”
Giselle leans in and adds, “Or baby in blue?”
I finish with, “Take a bite and you’ll have a clue. Now, on the count of three, bite into your cupcake and then everyone shout out the reveal.”
The stadium is silent for five seconds before the word, “Blue” erupts from all corners. Everyone cheers, black and blue confetti blasts, showering the crowd, and on the jumbotron, my husband is smiling so big you’d think he already won the game.
I rush down to the field. He runs toward me and before I set foot on the turf, he picks me up, swings me around, and says, “We’re having a baby?”
“A boy,” I add, in case that wasn’t clear, what with the cupcakes and confetti.
Declan picks me up again and the crowd is wild, cheering for us and offering congratulations. For once in my life, I don’t mind the spotlight shining because this time, it’s on us.
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