I closed my eyes for a moment, taking deep, calming breaths. There was nothing to be worried about. My mother would embrace having grandchildren with the same enthusiasm she attacked everything in her life.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Easton, are you okay? Are your brothers okay?” She sounded alarmed, and I rushed to squelch her concerns.

“It’s nothing like that. We’re all fine.”

“Then what is it?”

“Are you sitting down?”

“Yes.”

There was no easy way to say this, so I blurted it out. “I’m a father.”

I heard a gasp, after which all was quiet, so I continued.

“I found out recently that I have twins, a boy and a girl.” There, I said it, got it over with, and now I waited nervously for her reaction. The phone was silent for so long I thought we’d been disconnected. “Mom? You still there?”

“Yes,” she answered shakily. “I’m processing. Would you care to elaborate?”

I told her everything about Caro, about the death of her husband, about the kids, and about her moving to Seattle. She listened quietly, making a brief comment here and there. When I finished, I waited for her response.

“I’m surprised. I’m thrilled. I’m going to need some time to adjust to being a grandmother, but I promise you I’ll be the best grandmother ever.

“I’m certain you will. I don’t know how long it’ll be before we reveal I’m their father, but as soon as we do, I want you to meet them.”

“I can’t wait, Easton. I really can’t.”

“They’re great kids but still reeling over the death of the man they thought was their father. That’s why we have to be careful about everything. They need time to heal and adjust before we drop another bombshell on them.” I was parroting Caro’s words, but as much as I hated to admit it, they were good words.

“And you and Caro? How is that going?” Leave it to Mom to get right down to one of the most troubling pieces of this entire mess.

“I was angry at first because I couldn’t understand how she didn’t know they were my children, but I’m working past that. I didn’t leave her much room when I dumped her. I made it clear we were through, that I was moving on to college and the pros, and she was moving on to nursing school. She went back to her former boyfriend on the rebound and got pregnant. I guess she never imagined I was the father.”

“I’m glad you’re over blaming her. Time to look forward, not backward, for the children’s sakes. How do you feel about her now?”

“That’s the problem, Mom. I’m conflicted. I expected I’d find the same thing again with other women I dated, but I didn’t. I thought once I made the NHL, I’d have arrived, and this emptiness inside of me would be gone. Pro hockey should’ve filled in the missing part of me, but it hasn’t. I don’t know if we have a future, but I wouldn’t throw out the idea either.”