SIN-BIN: Bonus Chapter

Have you ever wondered why Ava and Colt named their son, Michael? If yes - this chapter will tell you why and show you our beloved SIN-BIN couple when they were expecting!

This chapter is included in Special Edition that comes out closer to the end of 2023. Keep an eye on my Instagram profile for announcement about live-release.

AVA

Waking up, I lie still with my eyes closed. A smile curves my lips when I feel my baby moving. Lately, he’s been incredibly active, and I’m loving every second of it. This is an unreal experience. One that always makes me happy and excited for what’s to come. Even if on some days, I’m scared I’ll fail.

“Good morning, Michael,” I whisper, pressing my hand to my belly. A light kick right into my palm makes my smile bigger, and I slowly open my eyes. The sunlight is peeking through the closed curtain. Sitting up in bed, I move the covers aside and stand up. In an instant, my gaze drops to the empty side of the bed, and my heart squeezes in my chest painfully. I hate waking up without Colton.

I take a deep breath, shooing away the gloomy thoughts residing in my brain, and go to the window to let the sunlight into the room. I’ve always known it would be like this once the season starts. I’ve been preparing myself to be home alone, to be able to deal with everything on my own when he’s on the road. It’s nothing unexpected, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy. 

After finishing my morning routine and changing, I head to the kitchen. The book I’m reading is tucked under my armpit, as I’m carrying my phone and a mug with cold chamomile tea left over from last night. My steps are heavier than before, and my breathing is more clipped if I’m not careful enough and forget that I need to slow down. I can’t say I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy, but I’m nine months along and my due date is approaching at a crazy speed. Only five days left, but from what my obgyn says it could happen any day at this point. It’s definitely something that scares me just as much as it excites me. I only hope I don’t go into labor when Colt is away. It would suck big time if he is out of town. 

A little dizziness washes over me as I round the kitchen counter, stepping to the table and putting my things on it. I close my eyes and cover my belly with my palms, trying to listen to my gut feeling. “Michael, baby, if you can, please, let’s wait for your daddy to get home, okay? He’s flying back from St.Louis today and then he’ll be here for a whole week. We don’t want him to miss meeting you, right?” I say softly, mentally begging my baby and the whole fucking universe to listen to me. 

Even the thought about going into labor completely alone makes me lose my shit. I should’ve let Dad and Penelope fly out here when they suggested it. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, especially when I really need it. What was I thinking?

My phone dings ripping me out of my thoughts. Shaking my head to get rid of my moody state, I take my phone from the table and press it to my ear. Layla’s voice fills my ear, enveloping me in very familiar warmth. The way I miss my best friend is next level. 

“How’s my bestie doing?” She chirps. “How’s my nephew? How’s life?”

I chuckle, proceeding to the fridge and opening it to take out a parfait I made for myself yesterday. “I’m good. Just like your nephew. And before you ask, yes, I’m still pregnant.”

“Disappointing. I hoped to have an excuse to skip classes and fly out to see you.” 

“Don’t worry, Benson. As soon as it starts, I’ll let you know,” I say, lowering myself on the chair and grimacing from discomfort. Something isn’t right. “How are you?”

“Same as usual. Classes, assignments, parties. Grace found herself a new guy, so she doesn’t really have time for me. And without you here, I’m just bored out of my mind.”

I sigh, propping my head on my knuckles. “I miss you too.”

Talking to Layla, I didn’t even notice that an hour had passed. The only reason she ended our conversation was because she had a class about to start. She promised to call me again tonight. As if. Sometimes I think that it’s my best friend who’s pregnant with how easily she forgets what she promises. Though the reality is way more prosaic. She’s still in college, living her life to the fullest while I’m trying not to lose myself in my new routine.

I love talking to Layla, but it seriously often puts me in a mood. And unfortunately right now, I don’t have my man with me to reassure me. Sigh. 

Time is literally dragging as I sit on the couch with my book. I’m so distracted with my thoughts, that I start skipping pages without even realizing it. The moment I read the name of a character I didn’t see before, I realize I fucked up and putting the book down would be for the best. It was a solid five star read before, but now I’m too deep in my head figuring out if I should call my obgyn or if it’s nothing. Just false labor pains, perhaps.

Please, I want it to be the second option. Badly. 

I glance at my phone, biting my bottom lip and feeling my baby boy moving in my belly. It’s like he’s doing somersaults, I swear, and it’s unusual. Smokey jumps on the couch beside me and I haul him to my chest, holding him close. He purrs, relaxing into my embrace and isn’t trying to run away as he often does. I have no doubt it’s because he feels my disturbance. Worries slide under my skin, making me a jumpy mess. 

When my alarm goes off, I quickly pick up my phone from the couch and publish prepared posts on my social media. Helping authors is still my outlet, my little business as I’m working right now with four indies publishing incredibly captivating sports romances. I love what I’m doing, and even now it brings me a little relief. Though not for long, because an uneasy feeling in my lower abdomen returns and this time nothing really helps me to forget about it.

“Smokey, how do you think Colt is going to react if I tell him I’m in labor once he gets home? They lost last night, 5 to 2, and he wasn’t happy when we talked before he went to sleep. He’s still a rookie after all, trying to prove himself, to show that he belongs on the team.” I mumble, petting my cat as he lies on my lap. “It wasn’t his fault they lost. He even scored…and yet he was blaming himself. I wonder what sort of mood he’s going to be in now.”

“Are you talking to our cat?” I whip my head around at the sound of Colt’s voice, and see my fiancé smiling at me from the doorframe. He’s still wearing a white shirt and black trousers, looking sexy as hell. Like usual.  

“When did you get in?” I ask, perplexed I didn’t hear him. 

“Just a minute ago.” He pads over to the couch and sits down beside me. Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he draws me to him, pressing his lips to my temple. “Now I feel good.”

Goosebumps scatter over my skin, a smile stretches across my lips, as I cuddle into him. “I missed you.”

“I know, baby. I missed you too.” Colton whispers, nuzzling his nose in my hair. “How are you?”

I crane my neck to have a better look on his face. “I think I might be in labor.”

He frowns, brows etching together. “You think?”

“Well, I feel kinda weird and Michael–”

“That’s not our son’s name.”

Rolling my eyes, I push him away. “It is. He’s Michael.”

“Why the heck are we naming our kid after the main character of your favorite book? He was a basketball player from what I remember. I play hockey.”

I pout, gritting my teeth. A light kick right in my ribs makes my breath hitch. With a groan, I stand up from the couch and hover over Colt. “You play hockey, and I got pregnant after we had sex in the sin-bin. His life will always be tied to hockey. Facts. That’s what it is.” I point my finger at him. “You’re not the one who’s belly has become so big that you can’t even see your feet. You’re not the one who’s dealing with dizziness any time you forget that you should walk slower. And you’re definitely not the one who put your life on pause while your partner follows their dreams. So do me a favor, and at least let me choose the name.”

The second I snap my mouth closed, I know I’ve fucked up. He’s never pressured me into anything. It was my decision to move to California with him after his graduation. Only because I couldn’t even imagine a day without him. I wanted this…and now I sound like a bitch.

“Colt, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–”

Abruptly, he stands up, making me take a step back. He cups my face with his big palms and bends his head down to look me in the eyes. “Do you really think I haven’t noticed how distant you become once you know I’m leaving? How drastically your mood changes any time you talk to Layla about her life? I just want…I want you to talk to me about it, instead of bottling it all up until it gets to the point where you just burst with frustration.”

“I don’t want to sound bitter,” I whine, my eyes watering.

Colt chuckles and brings his lips to mine, giving me the slowest and the sweetest kiss. I clutch his shirt in my fists, my body humming from his touch. Pressing his forehead to mine, he sighs, his hot breath fanning over my face. 

“Ava Mason, you’re the most infuriating girl I’ve ever met…but I fucking love you even more for that.” Our eyes meet, and I smile weakly at him. “I know things aren’t easy some days. I know you’re lonely, and that maybe we should’ve listened to your dad when he suggested you go back to Michigan so our son is born there. Maybe we–”

“Wherever you go, I follow. Remember?” I tell him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I wanted to be here. With you. To see your first steps as an NHL player. To watch your dreams become reality. There’s no way I would’ve missed it. And there’s no way I’m giving birth without you. We’re in this together, Colton. Never forget that.”

A smile lifts my lips, but it’s short lived. The sudden tightness in my lower abdomen makes me gasp. Colton’s face contorts in confusion, his pupils dilating as he roams his gaze over me. 

“Ava?”

“You better go and change.” I mutter, stepping back from him and slowly bending to take my phone from the couch. Quickly finding my obgyn’s number, I press Call and look up, seeing Colt standing still. His arms dangling at his sides, his lips parted. “What?”

“Why are you so calm?”

I arch an eyebrow, my eyes coasting around his face, and noticing the paleness of his skin. “Because both of us can’t start panicking, Thompson.” Shaking my head, I go to the kitchen to pour myself some water. “Go change. A shirt and dress pants aren’t the comfiest clothes for when you’re going to wait for your child to be born.”

Today is going to be a long day…a very long day.

***

Wetting my lips, I slowly sit up in bed. My vision is blurry, and my whole body aches from exhaustion. I rotate my neck to get rid of the stiffness in my muscles. I was in labor for six hours, and now feel like a squeezed lemon even if I just woke up. 

Quiet voices get my attention, and I turn my head to my right. The only light comes from the floor lamp, and the room is dim, but I still see him. Colt is sitting on the chair with our son in his arms, his long fingers gently caress our baby’s cheek. 

“How is he?” I ask hoarsely, and Colt looks up, meeting my gaze. A gentle smile lights up his face, his eyes radiating warmth. 

Carefully, he stands up from the chair and comes closer to my bed. I extend my hands and he lowers our little boy into my outstretched arms. My heart constricts, and I sniff loudly, my eyes wandering over our son’s face. He’s asleep, his pouty lips move slowly. Colt sits down beside me, and I move a little to give him more room. His arm snakes around my shoulder, and he pulls me to his side, kissing the top of my head.

“Isn’t he the cutest little boy?” I murmur, admiring our son.

“He is,” Colt confirms, tightening his grip around me. “And you were brilliant. Doctor Ross said she’s very proud of you. Just like I am. What you did here…made any hockey game I ever played look like a walk in the park.”

“It’s because you were with me.”

“Nah, baby, it’s all you.” He kisses my hair again, inhaling deeply. “Our parents and Layla should be here in a few hours. I thought your dad was going to strangle me through the phone, when I called to tell him he’s a grandfather now.”

“Dad wanted to be here.” I laugh quietly. “Just like Layla, and your mom.”

“Do you regret not calling them earlier? When we had arrived–”

“No,” I say, turning to look at Colton. “You and our son are all I need.”

“You wanted to say Michael, right?” Colt teases, and I only shake my head. 

“Listen, I love the name, and loved it long before I read the book. But if you don’t like it, let’s try to find a name that will satisfy us both. What do you think?”

Colt presses his palm to my cheek, tilting my face up to him. “The past hour that you slept, I spent just holding our son, talking to him, caressing his skin…and the longer I held him, the more I was sure that you were right. He’s Michael. Michael Thompson. Our son.”

“Really?” 

“Really.” Colt nods, hovering his lips over mine. “I love you, Ava.”

“I love you too,” I murmur, closing the distance between us and kissing his lips. The immense happiness overwhelms me, spreading through my veins and filling me with love and affection to the brim. 

He’s not the closed-off boy I met in my dorm anymore. Colton Thompson is everything. My everything. And I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen to us next. As long as I’m with him, I know we’re going to be fine. No matter what.

***

To be continued...