The ice was boiling. The noise from the crowd vibrated in the air, mixed with the sound of sticks clashing and skates sliding at full speed. My body was on autopilot, moving to the rhythm of the game. The pressure of the puck against the blade of my stick, the weight of my body leaning to the right, the cheers from my teammates—all of it fell into place.

The scoreboard read 2-2. Last seconds of the game. Everyone knew what was coming next.

I took a deep breath. Focused on the puck sliding on the ice as if time were slowing down.

Then, the opportunity.

The pass came at the perfect speed, straight to me. I controlled the puck, raised my stick, and—pow!

The shot was clean, precise. The puck cut through the ice, past the opposing goalie, and… goal!

The stadium erupted.

My teammates’ arms pulled me into a crushing hug, the ice vibrating with the sound of skates, and everything was just a whirlwind of voices, celebration, and euphoria. My name echoed through the crowd’s cheers.

But in the middle of all that, my instinct led me straight to the stands. To her.

I skated right up to the glass, looking for her face. And there she was, looking at me with a sparkle in her eyes.

I tapped on the glass, grinning. "Did you see that?!"

She nodded, holding her belly. "Yes! It's time!"

"Of course, it's time! Time to call me MVP!" I joked, still riding the adrenaline.

She furrowed her brow. "No, it’s time!"

I laughed. "Yes! Time to celebrate our victory!"

She blinked, clearly losing her patience. "LOVE! IT’S TIME!"

My mind froze.

My eyes dropped to her belly. They moved back to her face. Then back to her belly.

Oh.

"Wait. Now?!"

She nodded frantically.

"Now, now?!"

"NOW!"

My brain shut down for two seconds before going into full panic mode.

I dropped my stick, ripped off my helmet, and bolted past the bench, running down the tunnel without a second glance. The game? The win? The title? None of it mattered anymore.

My baby was coming.