I called Zach on the way to the field and asked him to pick up some water for the team before he picked up Coach. I was trying to think of anything to keep him away so I could get there first. When I parked, I realized I was still holding the ultrasound pictures in my left hand. I smiled down at them and set them in my passenger seat. I leaned into the backseat and grabbed my backpack with my uniform and cleats. I grabbed my hat from the dash and got out.

I ran to the field, and my mouth fell open when I saw how amazing everything looked. I saw the whole team standing in the dugout wearing Coach’s jerseys, and tears filled my eyes. When I looked at Dane, I saw he had tears in his eyes too.

“This is going to be so perfect.” I walked over to Dane and hugged him tightly. “I sent Zach for water after he picks up Coach to bring him here. I’m gonna go change. I need to talk to you. Come with me?”

He nodded and followed me. “What is the news?”

We went into the locker room, and I went into a stall to change. “It’s crazy. Are you sitting down?” I took off my shirt and put my jersey on.

He laughed. “Yeah, I’m sitting down.”

I took off my jeans and hung them over the stall door with my shirt. I slipped on my uniform pants. “The only way I could think to keep Zach away from the field was to take an emergency trip to the doctor. Bad idea by the way. Zach was freaking out. Anyway, we found out we’re having twins.” I tucked my shirt in and buttoned my pants. I started searching my backpack for my belt. “Twins, Dane!” He was still quiet. “Dane?”

He started laughing so hard he snorted.

I shoved my clothes into my backpack as I walked out of the stall. I sat next to him and put on my cleats. “Insane, right? It’s so completely… incomprehensible, and I can’t wrap my head around it. Zach passed out!” I snickered.

He laughed harder. Tears filled his eyes. He finally started taking deep breaths to calm down. “I needed that tonight. And hell yeah, it’s insane!” He put his arm around my shoulders. “It’ll be great though. You’ll have lots of help.”

I smiled. “Thanks. My parents still have no idea I’m pregnant. Just wait until they find out.” I stood after lacing my shoes. I pulled my hair up and pulled the ponytail through the back of my hat. “Alright, are we ready for this big night?”

He wiped his eyes and stood up. “How’s Zach handling all of this?”

“Not good, but I think me being pregnant is helping him a little. It gives him something else to focus on. He bought books.” I laughed. “He’s been reading up on pregnancy and parenting.”

We headed out of the locker room and back to the field. By the time we walked up, I saw Zach helping Coach to the field. Millie was tagging along behind them. I grabbed Dane’s hand and squeezed it as I watched them make their way out of the dugout. We all lined up on the field and joined hands as Coach came over. Zach and Coach looked shocked.

Tears filled Coach’s eyes as he looked at all of us. “This means a lot to me,” he said, his voice breaking a little. Trevor and Dane walked over to help Zach with the water. I went to the dugout and grabbed Millie, Zach, and Coach’s jerseys.

“We thought it’d be cool to all match tonight.” I turned them so that Coach could see we had his name on our backs and his high school number. I turned them back around and handed them their jerseys, kneeling to help Millie put hers on. I kissed her forehead after buttoning it up. The team came back to the dugout as the stands started filling up and the other team arrived. I walked over to Zach, handing him his clipboard and whistle.

He smiled at me warmly. “Thanks, Tiger.”

I smiled back. This night was going to be so full of surprises and special things, and I couldn’t wait. “So the doctor visit earlier was just a way to keep you away from the field. I was totally fine the entire day. You’ll see why as the night rolls on. But you can’t yell at me yet because I have a game to go win!” I kissed him quickly and then hurried to the field before he could answer.

I looked in the stands and smiled when I saw my parents there. I waved, and they both waved back. I adjusted my hat, positioned my hand in my glove, and got ready to win this for Coach.

THE ENTIRE TEAM with Coach, Zach, Millie, Quinn, Brink, and Sadie laid on the field watching the lanterns float into the sky. The entire school showed up to support Coach, and when the Glee Team came out and performed One Call Away, there wasn’t a dry eye. Even the team we beat was crying. It was amazing to see the support Coach had, and I hoped it made all of this a little easier on him, knowing we were going to keep his name alive and knowing how much he meant to every single one of us.

Sadie was walking around, taking pictures, which was evidently one of her favorite things to do, and she was great at it. She came over to Zach and me, standing over us. I grabbed Zach’s face, pinched his cheeks together, and made kissy lips at him. We all laughed after Sadie snapped the picture. She walked off, taking pictures of the team and Coach.

I turned my head and smiled at Zach. “I’m sorry for lying to you,” I whispered. “I just had to keep this a surprise, and when we found out you were on your way I had to think of something fast to keep you away.”

He smiled a little. “Next time think of something else,” he teased. “But I enjoyed seeing them,” he whispered so only I could hear.

I smiled and looked up at the lanterns that filled the sky, slowly floating upward. “Me too. We should tell everyone now. And... I’m quitting the team. I’m going to announce that too.”

He laced his fingers with mine. “You don’t have to quit. I hate that I’m messing up all your plans.”

I shook my head. “Not messing anything up, Zach. You’re making everything unexpected and interesting. I don’t want to risk a fall; you know how I like to slide to bases.” I laughed. “And once the school board finds out about you and me, I don’t want you to lose the coaching position you were officially given tonight. The team needs you, and Coach needs to know that you are here taking care of his team and everything he has built.” I sat up and fixed my hat. I stood and held my hand out to him so he’d stand with me.

He took it and stood. Everyone sat up and looked at us. I waited until Dane helped Coach sit up. I winked at Millie when she smiled at me.

“Okay, so Zach and I are a thing, a serious thing.” I smiled when everyone laughed knowingly. I wasn’t surprised that they weren’t shocked.

I smiled at Zach. “You tell them.”

Zach grinned. “Hales, is pregnant.” He looked down at me. “With twins.”

“Congratulations” and other kind words filled the air as the team surrounded us and formed one huge group hug. I was overwhelmed by their support. I don’t know why I expected anything less than a we-have-your-back attitude from them, but I was extremely grateful. After everyone calmed down I looked at Coach who was super quiet, with tears in his eyes. I held onto Zach’s hand as we walked over to him. I let go of Zach’s hand and hugged Coach.

He hugged me back. “I wish I was going to get to see them,” he confessed.

I moved back so he could hug his brother. He hugged Zach and whispered something to him. A tear slipped down Zach’s cheek, and he nodded in understanding. I wiped my cheeks as tears fell.

“Coach, you have no idea how much you mean to me. You’ve taught me so much and that there’s more to me than this game. Tonight was awesome, but it still couldn’t even come close to showing you how much we all love and appreciate you.”

“And I can never show how much all of you mean to me.” He smiled at all of us. “Thank you, guys, so much.”

“I’m quitting the team. I think it’s best for me and the babies.” I looked at Zach. “And your brother’s sanity,” I teased. I looked at Coach again. “And I’m okay with it.”

Zach and Coach both chuckled.

Coach looked at me. “How are your parents handling all of this?”

I shrugged. “They don’t know any of it yet. All they know is that Zach and I are together. My dad has been threatening to turn Zach into the board. I refuse to let that get in the way of anything so that’s also a part of the reason I’m quitting the team. If it boils down to it, I’ll quit school and homeschool myself. Zach isn’t going to lose his position here. It means too much to him, you, and the team.”

Zach kissed the side of my head, and Coach nodded. “Now that the game’s over,” he looked at Zach, “Zach said he’d show me the finished product of the house.”

Zach looked down at me. “I have a surprise for you too.” He grinned. “Trevor, Sadie, Dane, and I finished the house.”

“Really? When! They’ve been with me planning this whole night like every single day!” I laughed.

“Well, after you would fall asleep, we would all sneak out of the house,” Dane said with a laugh. “I’m so ready for this weekend. I plan on doing nothing but sleep.”

“Amen,” Trevor and Sadie added.

I laughed and shoved Zach’s shoulder playfully. “Sneaky, sneaky.”

His smiled widened. “Let’s all head there.” He looked at his watch. “The pizza should be delivered by now.”

My eyes lit up. “Pizza?”

“Yep.” He kissed me.

I took my hat off my head and pulled my ponytail out as we all headed to the parking lot. I got in the truck with Zach. As he drove down the road, I held his hand and played with his fingers.

“Twins,” I whispered. I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He grinned. “For what?”

“For not being careful that night.”

He burst out laughing. “You’re welcome, Tiger.”

I laid my hand on his shoulder and put his hand on my stomach.

I loved that he was smiling. “I love you, Hales.”

“I love you most.”