The offseason had been quiet—too quiet for Ernie Clement’s liking. Between workouts, travel, and a blur of games, he hadn’t realized how much time had passed since he last saw her. They’d gone their separate ways months ago, both convinced the distance and the whirlwind of his schedule made things impossible. But when he ran into one of her friends at a café in Toronto, everything shifted. Her friend froze when he asked how she was—eyes flickering with hesitation before mumbling something about “taking it easy.” That phrase stuck in his mind all week.

Now, standing outside her small apartment with his heart pounding against his ribs, Ernie finally understood what that meant. The door opened, and the sight hit him like a line drive to the chest—her rounded belly, eyes wide with shock, hands instinctively protecting the life growing inside her. Two lives, actually. Twins.

For a long moment, he couldn’t speak. The noise of the city faded behind him, replaced by the soft hum of disbelief and emotion. He’d always imagined being a dad someday—but not like this, not finding out when she was already so far along. Still, as he stepped forward, something inside him settled. There was no anger, no regret—just an overwhelming need to be there, to catch up for every moment he’d missed.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he finally whispered, his voice breaking. She started to explain—fear, uncertainty, not wanting to burden him—but he just shook his head, gently reaching out to rest his hand over her bump. The tiny kick beneath his palm stole his breath away.

Ernie smiled, eyes glassy but full of warmth. “Guess I’m late to the game,” he murmured, voice trembling with awe. “But I’m here now. For all of it.”

In that quiet, charged moment, the air shifted. Baseball could wait. The world could wait. All that mattered was standing in front of him—his family, unexpected but perfect all the same.