His head snaps up.
There, in the stands.
Amelia.
His face breaks into a smile as he sees her. She's standing there, impossible to miss, her smile so bright it hurts to look at. On her hip is a toddler with white-blond hair and crystal blue eyes, the perfect replica of Bash himself. The dimple gives it away. The boy bounces, both hands in the air, fingers curling, beckoning, as if cheering.
"Da! Da! Da!"
Bash blows a kiss and mouths the words he never hesitates to say.
I love you.
He doesn't need to speak them out loud. He proves his love the same way he always has, by showing up, standing firm, and never wavering.
Amelia is wearing Bash's jersey, and so is the boy. She turns slightly, grinning, and points to her back.
DUCHESNE
24
Beside them, Bash's parents beam. His mother takes the boy into her arms as Amelia bends to pick something up.
She lifts a sign that reads.
PENALTY BOX EXPANDING!
BABY #2 COMING
The arena explodes.
The sports announcer laughs into the mic. "Well, folks, it looks like Mrs. Duchesne just dropped a pretty big surprise on her husband tonight."
But Bash doesn't hear another word.
He vaults from the sin bin.
Over the boards.
Over the divider.
Scrambling through the aisles, knocking over popcorn and drinks as fans cheer and roar, egging him on. He apologizes dazedly, but doesn't slow or stop.
"Excuse me."
"Sorry."
He reaches Amelia and sweeps her into his arms, spinning her until they get dizzy and tumble into the seats together, giggling, breathless, happy.
The boy wriggles free from his grandmother and climbs into his daddy's lap. Tiny hands clutch Bash's jersey as he pulls the boy closer, pressing a kiss to his head, while tears drip down his cheeks.
On the ice, Bash's coach is shouting for him to get back to the box.
The PuckCam catches the moment where Amelia and Bash gaze into each other's eyes and share a tender kiss.
Then, framed in a glowing heart superimposed over them.
THEY'RE PREGGO!
