MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat-Chapter 702: It’s freedom

Damon had just finished watching the last of the party videos with Svetlana.

He placed the phone on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch, relieved that she hadn’t stayed mad, at least not seriously.

They sat in silence for a moment, her head on his shoulder.

Then came the sound of light footsteps pattering against the floor.

"Daddy!"

Ava’s little voice rang out as she ran into the room, arms already outstretched.

Damon barely had time to sit up straight before she launched into his lap. She clung to him, her small hands gripping his shirt.

"I missed you, Daddy!" she said, muffled against his chest.

Damon smiled and wrapped both arms around her, holding her close. Her hair was messy, and her face was still warm from sleep, but her energy was full.

"I missed you too, princess," he said, kissing the top of her head.

Svetlana smiled quietly as she watched them. Ava snuggled in closer and then leaned back just enough to look up at his face.

"Why you didn’t say goodnight?" she asked, clearly still a little upset about it.

"I got stuck with Uncle Joey and Uncle Ash," Damon said gently. "But I’m here now."

Ava squinted at him, then pointed. "Why your face look funny?"

Svetlana covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Damon sighed. "Long story."

Damon lifted her gently off his lap and into his arms, holding her up so they were face to face.

"How about you tell me what you got up to while Daddy was away?"

Ava lit up immediately, her tiny hands pressing against his shoulders as she started talking.

"I drew a big flower with Mommy! And I played puzzle with Grandma, but she cheated!" she said with an exaggerated pout.

Svetlana raised an eyebrow. "I did not cheat."

"Yes, you did! You took my piece!" Ava fired back, sticking out her tongue.

Damon laughed. "Stealing puzzle pieces? That’s serious business."

Ava nodded. "And Auntie brought cake. I got the biggest slice!"

"Did you share?"

"Nope!"

He grinned and kissed her forehead. "At least you’re honest."

Ava cuddled against him again, clearly content now that he was back. Damon held her close, glancing over at Svetlana, who gave him a small nod.

Home was noisy again. And he liked it that way.

Damon looked down at Ava still nestled in his arms, then glanced at Svetlana. "Did you tell her yet?"

Svetlana shook her head. "No. I thought we’d do it together."

Damon nodded and turned Ava slightly so she could see both their faces. "Hey, baby... Mommy and Daddy are getting married soon."

Ava blinked. "What’s married?"

Damon smiled. "It’s when you love someone so much, you promise to stay with them forever. You become a family in a special way."

Ava looked between them, thinking hard. "Can I marry Mommy and Daddy too?"

Svetlana laughed softly, and Damon kissed the top of her head.

"You’re already part of the promise," he said. "You made us a real family."

Ava grinned and hugged him tighter. "Okay! I wanna wear a dress too."

"You will," Svetlana said, ruffling her hair. "The prettiest dress there."

Ava beamed. Damon looked at Svetlana again, and she smiled back. It wasn’t a big moment, but it felt like one.

Damon stood up, stretching his back with a soft groan. "Alright... I need a shower. And then a long nap."

He leaned in and kissed Svetlana gently on the lips, then turned to Ava and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. She giggled, wiping her face with both hands.

"Don’t take too long," Svetlana called with a smirk.

"I’m not showering," Damon said as he walked off. "I’m taking a proper bath. I earned that much."

He disappeared down the hallway, already unbuttoning his shirt, ready to sink into silence and hot water for the first time in days.

Damon sank into the warm water, the heat wrapping around his sore muscles as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

The scent of the bath soap drifted up with the steam, and for the first time in what felt like days, his body finally relaxed.

He had blamed Ash for most of the chaos, and honestly, rightfully so, but now that he was alone, he admitted something to himself. freewēbnoveℓ.com

He needed that.

Not the alcohol. Not the madness or the couch pillow fights or even the questionable face art. But the freedom to just let go.

To be stupid. To laugh without thinking about rankings, upcoming fights, sponsorship meetings, or system stats. Just be a man surrounded by friends, no gloves on, no cameras rolling.

And despite what people joked about, how marriage meant the end of freedom, Damon didn’t feel that at all.

He felt the opposite.

He felt free knowing exactly who he was going home to. Who he’d build his life with. Who he’d raise Ava with.

He didn’t feel trapped. He felt steady.

He smiled, eyes still closed.

Happily happy.

It sounded dumb in his head, but he didn’t care.

Because it was real.

In just a few days, Damon would be marrying the woman who meant everything to him.

The thought made him smile again as he leaned further into the bath, letting the warmth carry him.

He realized they still hadn’t properly talked about the honeymoon.

Between the wedding planning and everything else, it had slipped through the cracks.

But they had agreed on one thing, right after the wedding, Damon would be heading into filming for the Supreme Fighter show.

So, the honeymoon would have to wait.

Still, Damon was already thinking ahead. Once the show wrapped, maybe they could leave Ava with her grandparents for a few days.

Somewhere peaceful, quiet, just the two of them, they will be alone together and enjoy the calm after the storm.

He didn’t know where they’d go, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he’d be with Svetlana.

And this time, it would be just them.

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