If someone would have told me I would meet the love of my life in my last year of college, I would have never believed them. First, I had never been in love. Second, relationships were the last thing I was ever interested in. Hockey was everything to me, and my only goal was to go pro. Nothing else. Funny how different my life became after I met my girl. How much my plans for my future evolved because now it wasn't just about me. It was about my family.

I honestly thought the talk with Dax would be the easiest one, expecting my own father to flip. In reality both men shook Ava and me to the core. They were both in total support of our decision to keep the baby. They offered reassurance and promised to help us whenever we would need it. Dax suggested Ava take a year off, so she could focus on raising our child and then go back to school once our baby is older. My father went further and bought us a house in San Jose, telling us that we were free to decorate it however we wanted. It was a bit too much, and I told him that. I didn't want him to buy my love with these grand gestures. The answer literally made me lose my shit. 'It's not about you. It's about my grandchild, and I intend to be the best grandpa in the world... even if the competition is tough.' See? Total madness.

I really was grateful Ava and I had time to get used to our new reality. Her moving in with me was the best surprise ever, and it helped me to sort myself out and figure out my next steps. But only after the Championship game. It was exactly what I had been focusing on the last week, barely finding time for anything else. It was my last game with the Wolverines, and I was determined to make it memorable. For me, for the team and especially for Ava.

🏒💥🏒💥🏒

Walking out of the locker room, I head back to the ice rink. It's the fucking Championship, and our team is winning 3 to 1 against the Minnesota State Mavericks. If we win tonight, it will be our 10th title since our team's last win in 1998. And hell yes, we all want to win this game! It will be iconic to take the Championship together with my best friends, Clay and Drake, as it's the last time we will play together for the Wolverines. Bittersweet yes, but also thrilling. If we ever get to play for the same team again after graduation, I will be the happiest dude in the world. These two guys are incredibly different, and I'm just glad they want to be friends with a moron like me. Even if I try to do better.

I look around the Yost Ice Arena and smile like an idiot once my eyes land on my mom and dad. I have no idea how he was able to convince her to come, but she's here and she's smiling at me in return. I wink at her and move my gaze further, taking in Dax with Drake's family not very far from my parents. He talks with Ms Lewis, the librarian, making her giggle and blush. Indeed, Ava is right, those two are cute together, and it would be great if something comes out of it. Everyone deserves to have a second chance at love.

Though as soon as I lock my eyes with Ava, the whole arena becomes empty and quiet in an instant. Such a gorgeous girl I have! I will never stop praising and complimenting her because it's exactly what she deserves. She plays with one of her braids, grinning at me with the cheeriest look on her face. She's full of mischief, and I can't help but think about her in my bed just this morning. I have a rule, no sex before the game to stay focused and collected. This morning she made me break it, and I can't say I regret it. My morning was mind blowing literally and figuratively speaking. Ava is the best.

"Thompson, are you ready to get back in the game? Or is eyefucking your girl more important?" I glance sideways, meeting Drake's derisive gaze. Nothing really changed since the day we became best friends, he's a damn wall and I feel like Tom Thumb near him. He could have easily been a football player considering his physique, but he's an amazingly talented right wing and once he steps on the ice, he moves effortlessly and fast as if he's way smaller and lighter than he is. "Earth to Colt, are you even there?"

"I'm just thinking how huge you are. You really never thought about becoming a football player?" I nudge him with my elbow and he guffaws heartily.

"I tried playing football, but being on the ice feels a hundred times better. It's like every muscle in my body comes to life. I feel driven, motivated and also incredibly focused. Once my head is in the game, the world outside the ice rink doesn't exist. "

"Same." Clay lines up with us, stepping into the conversation as if he's been here the whole time. "Hockey is life, and I refuse to even hear anyone who thinks differently."

"Amen." The three of us whirl around and gawk at the Coach. A smile plays across his lips, as he stands behind our backs with arms crossed. "If you're done with stating the obvious, how about we win our tenth Championship?"

"Definitely." I smirk, putting my helmet on. What could be better than graduating college as a national champion? Only graduating college as a national champion and having Ava in my life for sure.

The third period is tense, even if we're winning. The Mavericks dominate the game, trying to score and pushing us to play defense. Clay is our glue, holding us together and motivating us to do better with his saves. He's a marvelous goalie and the Pittsburgh Penguins will win a jackpot, signing him. I'm hella proud of him, even if I would have loved to play on the same team with him. Maybe one day...

It's the seventh minute of the third period, when I see a clear chance for us to score. Not ideal and very tricky, but I want to take that risk. Big chances are never small stakes, and my final year in college is the best evidence of it. If I didn't get over my own ego, and didn't follow my desire to have a taste, Ava would have never been with me. I would have been sentenced to be lonely with a horde of meaningless hookups and nothing else. What I have now is a hundred times better.

I meet Drake's gaze and he snorts, shaking his head. He knows what I'm up to and I have no doubt he's going to help me. Another reason why any team should be as a whole, feeling each other and understanding one another without words. That's what our coach did to us. We are like a family, where every person knows what they need to do so everyone will succeed.

Moving on an instinct, I steal the puck from the Mavericks player. I slide away from him at the fastest speed possible. It's one of my strong suits, not going to brag. I hit the puck with my stick and pass it to Drake, who moves alongside me to our opponent's net. It takes one second, as his stick meets the puck with an immediate slapshot... and it goes straight to the Mavericks net, landing just behind their goalie. Hell yes!

I bump into Drake, hugging him tight just as other guys join us for a short celebration. The feeling is marvelous and euphoric, and helps us to end the game on our terms. The Wolverines are the fucking national Champions! Dammit, we really did it!

Excited chattering, applause and joyful screams. The entire arena is filled with loud sounds. Yet, I'm trying to find Ava with my eyes. I have something I want to ask her as soon as the ceremony is over and my heart is ready to jump out of my chest from nervousness. And also fear. A fucking monstrosity spreads its venom all over my skin, and I start sweating. I'm so afraid she's going to freak out... or worse, will tell me off just because of HOW I decided to handle it. The truth is... I want it to be big. Just like my love for her is enormous. I want everyone to know what this girl means to me... even if I'm going to make myself a fool. She is worthy of only big gestures, not half-assed attempts. Ava deserves the world to be at her feet, and I intend to give it to her on a silver platter. Or maybe a gold one. Whatever the hell she wants.

Time flies, and my face hurts from the number of smiles I flashed for pictures. Finally sliding away, I see Dad and Dax laughing at something, while Mom is talking to Ms Lewis. They are waiting for me, and I honestly can't wait to join them... but only after Ava and I talk. I notice her in the penalty box with Layla. I frown looking more closely, and instantly break into a smile. She's wearing my jersey. My girl is wearing my jersey and this simple realization turns me into a lovesick puppy. Mine, mine, mine... this word is like a mantra in my head, sounding louder and louder. I will do absolutely anything for her. For real.

I skate over to them and gesture to her to go to the bench. She rolls her eyes, stands up and saunters to our team's bench. Layla follows her closely, winking at me as the best partner in crime I could have asked for. Ava puts her hands on the board and leans forward, arching an eyebrow at me. "What are you going to do?"

I wind my hands around her waist and haul her to my chest over the board. I put her on the ice and her eyes go wide. It's not the first time we're doing this, but a flicker of fear behind her irises is the best evidence that I will need more time to make her fall in love with the ice again.

"You're safe with me." I tell her, bending my head down.

"I know. I'm just a bit surprised. Everything is good." I put my hand on the board, and Layla quickly pushes our secret in my fingers.

"You're wearing my jersey." I ball my fist over the ring, as I continue staring at Ava in the eyes.

"Yup." Ava puts her hands on her hips, smiling at me from ear to ear. "I'm proud to be Colton Thompson's girlfriend, and I want everyone to know it." She takes a step closer, looking at me under her eyelashes. "Kinda staking my claim on you."

"And I'm staking my claim on you." I drape a hand over her waist and pull her closer. "I know you might hate me... or be furious with me for what I'm about to do, but I don't care. You are my most precious treasure, my fucking Stanley Cup, my everything. Even a day without you feels like the loneliest eternity, one I have no desire to go back ever. I fell in love with you once and for all, and I'm hella certain... you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Colt..." She murmurs, her eyes glimmering with happiness. "I love you too."

I take a deep breath and lower myself on one knee in front of her. Her palm flies to her mouth, covering it as she stumbles back a little. "I'm Colton Thompson. The future center for the San Jose Sharks. Soon to be a University of Michigan graduate. A fucking stubborn idiot, and a closed off moron. I'm a grump, and not the best person to be around... but you love me. I don't know what I have done to deserve you, but... here we are. You're my life. You're the baby momma of my children... and I want you forever. Will you be my wife?"

Her lips tremble, as she lowers her palm off her face. Ava sweeps her gaze around, noticing people watching us. She tsks and peers her eyes to my face. "I kinda hate you right now for drawing too much attention to us..." She mutters, and I barely hold myself back from bursting with laughter. This is so her, and she's so mine. It's insane how much this girl means to me.

"The winner takes it all, Ava," I state, grinning. "I want to become not only a national champion, but also your fiancé today. So? Will you be my wife?"

"Yes," she purrs, as I take her hand and slowly put a ring on her finger. Layla squeals, and I make a mental notice to thank her once again. If it weren't for her, I would have freaked out the second I stepped into the Tiffany store. She helped me not to lose my mind and kept it a secret from everyone, including her brother and her boyfriend. Ava has a real gem of a best friend. "It's so beautiful!"

I stand up and she jumps on me, locking her legs behind my back. I hold her close, roaming my eyes over her face. My God, she's perfect! "So glad you like it."

"How could I not?" Ava asks, glancing around and pouting her lips. "Everyone is watching, dammit!"

"They all envy me. To have such a stunning woman as you... I'm one lucky idiot!"

"Can you imagine what would happen if they knew I'm pregnant?" She bites the inner side of her bottom lip, her emerald green eyes are full of concern. "They will think that's the only reason why you proposed to me."

"They all can go to hell. I don't care. I would have married you anyway. Pregnant or not."

"So cocky." Ava inches closer to my face, sucking my bottom lip inside her mouth and grazing her teeth over it. "And so dominant."

"Just like you love it."

"Absolutely." She kisses my lips and moves away, looking over my shoulder. "I think our parents and our friends want to talk to us."

"I bet they do." I chortle, turning around and skating to our parents, not letting her go even for a second.

"You said children." Ava exclaims and I meet her gaze. "I'm not even sure I'm going to be a good mom to one kid, and you say 'children'."

"Together we will be able to do anything. Including being perfect parents for our children. I believe in us."

She sighs, cupping my cheeks with her palms. "And that's why you're the only one for me... I love you, Colt."

"I love you too, Ava." I confess and slide over to our parents and our friends. This college year brought me way more than I ever could have even dreamed of. Family. Happiness. Love. Her kicking me out of her dorm the first time we met is something that started us. And even if there were a ton of fuckups, I wouldn't have changed any of it. Ever.