Page 69 of Batter Up!

“Me, too!” Molly exclaimed. “But someone had to watch the bakery.”

“Ok, we gotta go. See you ladies after,” I said with one last kiss to Molly’s plump lips. “Love you, baby.”

“Love you, too.” Molly said. “Have a great game!”

The game went great, and we won 6-2. This team was really coming together and doing well. I’m not sure I believed Montgomery’s not letting me shave theory, but since I had been called up, we had only lost one game, and it was the game I sat out to let the backup catcher get some work in.

“My baby!” I heard my mom’s voice.

“Mom!”

“I almost didn’t recognize you with all this stuff on your face.” I had to laugh. I knew she wasn’t going to like the full beard.

“Good game, bro,” Carter said as he gave me a hug after Mom.

“Thanks. I gotta find Molly and Meadow. Hopefully, you’re okay with her friend coming over for dinner, too.”

“Of course!” Mom exclaimed “And if you have any friends on the team that want to come, they are welcome, too.”

“A home-cooked meal? Please, invite me,” Montgomery begged from behind me.

“Come on over!” My mom said and then smiled at someone behind me. “I would know you anywhere. You’ve grown up to be beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Mrs. Stone.” I turned around and watched as my girl walked over nervously. “This is my best friend, Meadow. Thank you so much for having us over for dinner.”

“Please, call me Susan or Mama Stone,” my mom said and held her arms out for a hug. Molly looked at me and then smiled and walked into my mom’s embrace. Mom held her tightly before pulling back and looking at her more closely. “Um, I know it’s not polite to ask, but honey, are you expecting a baby?”

Molly quickly looked at me, “I thought you told her!”

“I meant to….” I said without making eye contact with the two most important women in my life.

“Does that mean the baby is Tyler’s?” Mom asked quietly.

“Yes, Mrs. Stone - I mean Susan. You’re going to be a grandmother. I’m so sorry. I thought for sure Tyler told you.”

My mom suddenly burst into tears, right in the stadium parking lot. Carter looked at me and gave me a look like I was in big trouble.

“Dude, maybe I better leave this to just family. I can still catch the bus to the motel,” Hunter said quietly beside me.

“Can I, I mean, is it okay if I touch your belly?” my mom asked Molly, with tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Molly nodded, and I saw tears start to pool in her eyes, “Of course. The baby loves when Tyler talks to him or her.”

“My son talks to your belly?” Mom asked and placed both her hands on Molly’s protruding stomach.

“All the time,” Molly said with a laugh and a sniffle at the same time.

“Hi, little one. I’m your Grandma Susan. Maybe you’ll call me Gigi? I always thought that would be cute.”

“I love that,” I said and walked over to my wife and my mom. I placed my hands on her belly bump near where my mom still held on.

“Don’t think you aren’t in the dog house for not telling me, Tyler Elliott,” Mom full-named me. “But I’m too damn happy to be mad.”

“Sorry, Mom,” I said sincerely, then reached over and gave her a huge hug.

“You definitely get bonus points for being the first one to make me a Gigi.”

“I’m so glad you’re happy.”

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